Topic: lake effect snow

[SoCalKid]

Well, I'm visiting a friend up there who happens to live right smack in the middle of the snowiest part of the UP! So that's a big reason why I wanted to go in January, because it's also the snowiest time of year....and we don't get snow down here in SoCal. So it's going to be rather chilly as well (understatement...) but also looks like the lake effect squalls are quite frequent.

Honestly I can't wait.

Do you guys have any experience with LES?

[miraculon]

In Michigan, lake effect snow is set up primarily when there is open water on the lake and there is an arctic outbreak of cold NW wind. You can see the snow streamers set up on radar in the middle of the lake.

The west side of the state gets it the worst, places like Kalamazoo, Traverse City and of course the UP where the wind comes off of Lake Superior.

Here is SE Lower Michigan (Detroit area), the lake effect snow doesn't normally reach this far when we have West or NW winds off of Lake Michigan.

Sometimes, during storms we can get "lake effect enhanced" snow that adds to the storm when we get East or NE wind.

I am sure that members near Buffalo NY can comment about their famous LES. (as can other locations too)

Greg

[Cutty Sark Sailor]

In Michigan, lake effect snow is set up primarily when there is open water on the lake and there is an arctic outbreak of cold NW wind. You can see the snow streamers set up on radar in the middle of the lake.

The west side of the state gets it the worst, places like Kalamazoo, Traverse City and of course the UP where the wind comes off of Lake Superior.

Here is SE Lower Michigan (Detroit area), the lake effect snow doesn't normally reach this far when we have West or NW winds off of Lake Michigan.

Sometimes, during storms we can get "lake effect enhanced" snow that adds to the storm when we get East or NE wind.

I am sure that members near Buffalo NY can comment about their famous LES. (as can other locations too)

Greg

The wife's from Buffalo... spoke once about building tunnels and 'houses' under the snow falls when she was small.  Blizzard of 77 or 78-I forget, we went up there in April, and snow was still piled up in Delaware Park about 30' high... they had no place to get rid of it... they loaded southbound empty train coal cars with it, and it melted on its way down south...

[Jumpin Joe]

In Michigan, lake effect snow is set up primarily when there is open water on the lake and there is an arctic outbreak of cold NW wind. You can see the snow streamers set up on radar in the middle of the lake.

The west side of the state gets it the worst, places like Kalamazoo, Traverse City and of course the UP where the wind comes off of Lake Superior.

Here is SE Lower Michigan (Detroit area), the lake effect snow doesn't normally reach this far when we have West or NW winds off of Lake Michigan.

Sometimes, during storms we can get "lake effect enhanced" snow that adds to the storm when we get East or NE wind.

I am sure that members near Buffalo NY can comment about their famous LES. (as can other locations too)

Greg

Lived in Buffalo 2001-2002 when they had 7' in the last week of December, beginning of Jan.  Drove around in tunnel vision.... that's how high the snow was on the sides of the streets.

[CNYWeather]

I'm in Lake Effect country also off the east end of Lake Ontario. My dream one day is to retire to the
Tug Hill Plateau where 250-350" of snow fall yearly. 

Interesting study this year coming up also. SUNY Oswego will be studying Lake Effect.
The DOW from Discovery Channel fame will be here this winter. Here's the press release:

http://www.owles.org/OWLeS-Press-Release-2013-1010c.pdf

[Curly]

Lake effect snow from southern Lake Michigan depends on the winds which causes "banding".
You could see a foot of snow in one place and 2 miles away there is none.

[PaulMy]

We can get some serious lake effect snow coming down from Lake Huron especially in early winter before the lake is frozen over.  Recent history http://past.theweathernetwork.com/news/storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=weather_history_highway_402_121211 on one that lasted for days.

It can be very nice, but not if you have to drive in it.

Paul

[miraculon]

SoCalKid,

For your edification and enjoyment, here are two screen captures from GRLevel3 showing classic lake-effect-snow today.
One is from Marquette, the other is Gaylord. Notice the Traverse City snow bands. They always get dumped on with L-E-S, but the skiers love it.

Greg

[CNYWeather]

Should be some good snows near Syracuse tonight. Warnings up for 6-10". We had a few bursts here too. Its that time of the year.

[MCook21]

We can get some serious lake effect snow coming down from Lake Huron especially in early winter before the lake is frozen over.  Recent history http://past.theweathernetwork.com/news/storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=weather_history_highway_402_121211 on one that lasted for days.

It can be very nice, but not if you have to drive in it.

Paul

Wow yeah I remember this article you posted, nuts how quick things can change.