Tt post jan 4 2016 - c

quote=198579

Yes, a snowbelt area, such as northeast Ohio, can receive some lake effect snow if the air temp is say around zero to 10-above, and strong west-northwest winds blow over frozen Lake Erie.

Jan 4, 2016 info about Lake Erie:

the water temperature off toledo is 36 degrees ... off cleveland 41 degrees and off erie 42 degrees.

If strong west-northwest winds were blowing right now with our air temp in the upper teens, then the potential for significant lake effect snow in northeast Ohio would exist, provided that other dynamics were favorable.

When Lake Erie is still this "warm", then the air temp does not need to be as cold. And obviously, the current lake conditions would provide a fair amount of moisture that could intensify the lake effect snow.

The larger the difference between air temp and lake water temp then the greater the chance for a bigger snowfall. Again, provided that other dynamics are favorable. I'm over-simplifying.

But this is why the major lake effect snow events generally occur in November or December when Lake Erie is still relatively warm, and we get hammered with unseasonable cold air.

Veteran's Day Lake Effect Snow Storm of November 9-14, 1996

At the height of the storm, over 160,000 customers were without power in Greater Cleveland alone, as the storm produced isolated snowfall tallies approaching 70".

In northeast Ohio, especially in the northeast corner of Geauga County, the hilly or higher terrain forces more snow to fall as the snow squalls come onto shore. It's like squeezing out a wet dishcloth. It's a reason why the heavier accumulations occur a little further inland rather than immediately along the lakeshore.