News DetailINSANE LAKE EFFECT SNOWS!!!
Posted At: February 1, 2007 @ 1:34 PM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Snow
INCREDIBLE lake effect snows (LES) continue downwind of the Great Lakes in MI, NY, and Ontario, Canada, with snowfall rates as high as 5-6" per hour in the most intense bands. Displayed below is a graphic describing the event on Thursday in southwest Michigan, followed by a brief explanation of LES.
Lake effect snow occurs as cold, moist wind flows over a large, relatively warm body of water, generating intense vertical motion, which organize into heavy lake effect snow bands under ideal conditions. As seen above, the residence time of the cold air over the lake is large with southwesterly flow, and a single convergence band often develops in southwest Michigan, as faster moving air over the lake experiences greater Coriolis Force, and has a more westerly component than the flow over land (due to decreased wind speeds from friction, and lesser Coriolis Force). Over a foot of new snow will likely fall in association with this intense lake effect band.
Areas in Ontario, Canada downwind of Lakes Superior and Huron often experience prolific lake effect storms. Displayed below are some images depicting these Canadian LES events, respectively. 2+ feet of snow are likely through this first weekend in Feb 2007 in these areas.
11:25 AM EST Thursday 1 February 2007
Snowsquall warning for
Searchmont - Montreal River Harbour - Batchawana Bay continued
Snow squalls today through Friday.
This is a warning that snowsqualls are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.
An extended period of snow squall activity is setting up to the Lee of Lake Superior and Georgian Bay.
Cold southwest winds combined with weak ascent associated with an upper level disturbance is generating heavier flurries and snow squalls along the eastern shores of Lake Superior from Montreal River to the south of Wawa. The squall is particularly intense with snowfall rates in the 5 to 10 centimetre per hour range. This activity is expected to continue today and tonight and should tend to withdraw to fall over the lake on Friday. Since the snow squalls are expected to linger across the same area for a considerable length of time significant snowfall totals of 40 centimetres or more may be expected in the warned regions by Friday morning.
Lake effect snow occurs as cold, moist wind flows over a large, relatively warm body of water, generating intense vertical motion, which organize into heavy lake effect snow bands under ideal conditions. As seen above, the residence time of the cold air over the lake is large with southwesterly flow, and a single convergence band often develops in southwest Michigan, as faster moving air over the lake experiences greater Coriolis Force, and has a more westerly component than the flow over land (due to decreased wind speeds from friction, and lesser Coriolis Force). Over a foot of new snow will likely fall in association with this intense lake effect band.
Areas in Ontario, Canada downwind of Lakes Superior and Huron often experience prolific lake effect storms. Displayed below are some images depicting these Canadian LES events, respectively. 2+ feet of snow are likely through this first weekend in Feb 2007 in these areas.
Environment Canada's Official Weather Warnings
Warnings
Searchmont - Montreal River Harbour - Batchawana Bay11:25 AM EST Thursday 1 February 2007
Snowsquall warning for
Searchmont - Montreal River Harbour - Batchawana Bay continued
Snow squalls today through Friday.
This is a warning that snowsqualls are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.
An extended period of snow squall activity is setting up to the Lee of Lake Superior and Georgian Bay.
Cold southwest winds combined with weak ascent associated with an upper level disturbance is generating heavier flurries and snow squalls along the eastern shores of Lake Superior from Montreal River to the south of Wawa. The squall is particularly intense with snowfall rates in the 5 to 10 centimetre per hour range. This activity is expected to continue today and tonight and should tend to withdraw to fall over the lake on Friday. Since the snow squalls are expected to linger across the same area for a considerable length of time significant snowfall totals of 40 centimetres or more may be expected in the warned regions by Friday morning.
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9.5" in Grand Rapids according to NWS.