Its On The Way To New York But What Is Lake Effect Snow?

As New Yorkers we brace for this every single Winter....Lake Effect Snow.

While most of us have seen it, been stuck in it, and cursed it out do you really know what Lake Effect Snow is?

Since we are expecting to see some lake-effect snow in parts of New York State this week, it is time to break it all down for you.

WHAT IS LAKE EFFECT SNOW?

WHERE DOES LAKE EFFECT SNOW HAPPEN?

Here in New York most of the lake effect snow happens on the shorelines of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Because of the size of the great lakes, there is more chance for lake effect snow to happen over a bigger area.

HOW MUCH SNOW CAN OCCUR WHEN IT IS LAKE EFFECT SNOW?

It all depends on how big of a cold front is moving over the warm water. The more clouds the more snow that can be produced. The one weird thing about lake effect snow is that it can be very wide or very narrow depending on the cold weather. We have seen one side of a street get several inches of snow while the other side remains mostly snow-free. Lake effect snow can move in quickly off the lake.

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WHEN WILL WE SEE LAKE EFFECT SNOW IN NEW YORK?

There is a chance we will see lake effect snow tonight and tomorrow in parts of Western New York, just off the shore of Lake Erie.