What is lake effect snow and it's warning signs?

The northern part of American is very familiar with a condition known as lake effect snow. But what does that term actually mean?

How this natural "snow machine" works-

Lake effect snow is created when cold air blows or moves from the north. When this cold, dry air goes across a large or long lake, like one of the Great Lakes (Ontario, Eire, Michigan, and Lake Superior) it acts like a sponge and soaks up tremendous amounts of lake water. NOTE:*This occurs more so when the lake or lakes are not completely frozen.

Now that the snow clouds are saturated with water the air continues to travel until it rises. This often occurs on platues or hilly areas. When the land is higher the air is forced to go higher. As that happens it and the water it holds gets colder until...

You guessed it! The cold, rising air gets ringed out and sheds all of its water. Thus lake effect snow occurs. The air becomes dry again and a northern town or city usually get buried with snow overnight.

How Can you Prepare-

Watch the weather of course. Follow all reports of air coming down from Alaska and Canada. If you live with 90 miles (give or take) of a large or one of the Great Lakes, know that this phenomena is coming to your street! Here in CNY we have Ontario, Skaneatles, and Onieda to contend with.

Please leave a comment or question that you have had. Or comment and tell me about the storms in your area, anticdotes, and what lakes cause them!

Stay warm, and be careful when shoveling snow!

Tip: Avoid shoveling when the snow is heavy. This stresses the heart and causes many deaths every winter!