Eastern Great Lakes Bracing For More Snow from Lake Effect Machine! (credit: NWS Buffalo, New York)

DISCUSSION: Right on the heels of one fairly impressive lake effect snow event across western and central New York state, yet another one is already on the horizon as we head through the course of this Wednesday and through the overnight period into the day on Thursday.  This particular lake effect snowfall event is going to be triggered in the wake of a weaker low pressure system passing to the south and east of the eastern Great Lakes region helping to drag down tremendously cold air which has its origins in and around the Arctic Circle.  Furthermore, as a strengthening ridge (or high pressure system) builds into the Great Plains region of the U.S. this will act to additionally strengthen the magnitude of the air stream flow across the lakes which will even moreso magnify the overall lake effect response.  As noted in the upper-most graphic, lake effect snow watches have been issued to the east of Lake Ontario.  However, it is also important to note that lake effect snow watches have also been issued for areas to the east of Lake Erie as well since the forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Buffalo, New York are expecting lake effect snowfall to fire up in earnest off of both of these lakes.  

As also noted in the upper-most graphic, snowfall may possibly end up being measured in feet before things are all said and done with this next lake effect event.  This initial forecast projection is reflected in the lower graphic which provides the latest thinking on the forecast snowfall totals to the east of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.  Hence, the main takeaway from this lake effect snowfall forecast graphic is that areas to the east of Lake Ontario (i.e., particularly many areas located in and around the Tug Hill Plateau of north-central New York state) will very likely see the experience the worst conditions (i.e., in regards to general as well as travel safety) during the height of this upcoming lake effect snowfall event!  Stay tuned to our Facebook page for the latest updates including a live broadcast projected for during the day on Thursday.

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©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz