First Lake Effect Snowfall Event To Impact the Great Lakes Region (credit: NOAA NWS Eastern Region HQ)

DISCUSSION: As a classic Arctic air blast makes it way into portions of the North-Central and the Northeastern United States, this will set the stage for another aspect of winter weather.  That particular aspect being referred to is this instance is lake-effect snow.  Lake-effect snow occurs as a result of when cold, moist air travels across relatively warmer water contained within the near-surface layer of various spread across the United States (and the world for that matter).  In this particular situation, the combination of the cold air and the projected wind forecast will align the larger-scale flow such that areas to the east and east-northeast of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario will likely get hit the hardest with periods of heavy lake-effect snowfall.  As shown in the graphic above, some location may end up being able to measure snow in feet (rather than in inches).  Therefore, it is imperative to respect the power of Mother Nature if you are currently situated within any of these forecast areas as trying to travel while under a lake-effect snow-band is quite often a very life-threatening precedent.  So, be mindful of that as you plan your travel over the next few days.

To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here!

©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz