The phenomenon brings heavy snowfall to specific areas, impacting local weather and posing challenges for drivers.
Difficulty: Challenger (Level 2)
When towns along the Great Lakes get buried in deep snow, like several had last month, weather experts call it a “lake effect”.
Lake-effect snow is a weather event that can cause heavy snowfall in specific, narrow areas. This can lead to much more snow in one place, while another place just a few kilometres away might not get any snow.
In early December, parts of upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan saw nearly 1.2 metres of lake-effect snow.
Many people think lake-effect snow comes from the lake’s water, but it is caused by cold air moving over the lakes (see graphic). People who live near a Great Lake are most likely to experience lake-effect snow.
The Great Lakes refer to five large lakes located in eastern North America. They are Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Together, they cover an area of about 245,660 square kilometres. They form the largest connected area of fresh water on Earth.
The Great Lakes affect the climate of the surrounding regions. In summer, they absorb a lot of heat and release it in the winter. As a result, the land closest to the lakes has cooler summers and warmer winters than areas farther inland.
Lake-effect snow is also a lot more intense compared to regular snow. It can last several days, while regular snow usually does not last as long.
It can also be very dangerous for drivers because the weather can change quickly. The weather may be clear in one area, but there could be heavy snow just a few kilometres away.
Questions
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What causes lake-effect snow?
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Where does it usually occur?