Lake-effect snow commonly produces heavy snowfall in regions downwind of large lakes, such as areas adjacent to the Great Lakes.
November 24, 2025
high
process
Lake-effect snow occurs when cold air moves over relatively warmer lake waters, enhancing precipitation downwind.
When cold air moves over the relatively warmer waters of the Great Lakes, the temperature contrast can generate lake-effect snow that produces enhanced snowfall downwind and farther inland from the lakes.
November 11, 2025
high
meteorological
Mechanism explaining localized heavy snowfall near and downwind of large, relatively warm lakes.
Lake-effect snowfall is produced when relatively warmer lake surface waters enhance moisture transfer into overlying cold air masses, leading to increased snowfall downwind of large lakes such as the Great Lakes.
high
meteorological
Explains the mechanism by which temperature contrast between lake water and cold air generates enhanced snowfall downwind.