A cold northwesterly to westerly wind over all the Great Lakes created the lake-effect snowfall of January 10, 2022. Lake-effect snow is produced during cooler atmospheric conditions when a cold air mass moves across long expanses of warmer lake water.

Lake Effect snow occurs when cold air, often originating from Canada, moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the unfrozen and relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes, warmth and moisture are transferred into the lowest portion of the atmosphere.

Lake-effect snow is a fascinating meteorological phenomenon that occurs in certain regions near large bodies of water, particularly the Great Lakes in North America. Here's how it works.

What is Lake Effect Snow? Lake Effect Snow (LES) is very common across the Great Lakes region during the late fall and winter. LES occurs when cold air, often originating from Canada, moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes.

5 days ago · Lake effect snow forms when cold, below-freezing air passes over a lake’s warmer waters. This causes some lake water to evaporate and warm the air. Then, the moist air moves away from the lake. After cooling, the air dumps its moisture on …

Nov 11, 2016 · Lake-effect snow is a weather phenomenon created when cold, dry air picks up moisture and heat by passing over a relatively warmer lake, such as one of the Great Lakes or the Great Salt Lake.

Nov 29, 2024 · There's a classic pattern meteorologists look for ahead of heavy lake-effect snow. The pattern features a sharp, persistent southward plunge of the jet stream anchored over the eastern U.S. by a...

Nov 27, 2023 · Lake effect snow forms when cold air moves over warm water, according to the National Weather Service. Most common in late fall and into winter, the heat and moisture coming from...

WHAT IS LAKE EFFECT SNOW? Lake effect snow results from the interaction between cold air passing over warmer lake water generating snow that is deposited in localized regions downwind from the lake.

Jan 23, 2025 · Lake effect snow is generated when cold air moves over warm lake waters such that narrow bands of snow clouds develop. The warmer lake waters heat the lower portions of air, causing it to become less dense and begin to rise.