![]() ![]() ![]() The storm, dubbed the "October surprise" by locals, caught many people off guard. But a heavy band of lake-effect snow buried the Buffalo area Oct. Until 2006, the western New York city’s all-time monthly snowfall record for October was 6 inches, set back in 1909. One of Buffalo’s most memorable lake-effect snowstorms actually occurred in the month of October. Historic lake-effect snow in Buffalo in 2006 ![]() THESE ARE THE 7 SNOWIEST CITIES IN THE U.S. Therefore, lake-effect snow can remain a threat all winter downwind of Lake Ontario, unlike the other Great Lakes, which might freeze over by February (depending on how cold temperatures were earlier in the winter). Lake Ontario is the deepest Great Lake thus, it does not completely freeze over late in the winter like some other lakes can. Once a lake freezes over, the source of warmth and moisture is lost, making it much more difficult for lake-effect snow to develop. Why Buffalo can expect to see significant snowfall from 'crippling' snowstormįOX Weather winter storm specialist Tom Niziol explains why Buffalo will see significant snowfall from this historic snowstorm. If temperatures at that altitude were closer to 20 degrees, the lake-effect snow could develop into rather intense bands since the difference would be notably greater than 23 degrees. WHEN CAN YOU EXPECT THE FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON?įor example, if Lake Erie were 50 degrees, the overhead air mass would need to be 27 degrees or colder at 5,000 feet for Buffalo, New York, to have a risk for lake-effect snow (assuming other necessary ingredients were aligned, like a southwesterly wind over the longest axis of Lake Erie). If the temperature difference exceeds that, you’re more likely to see stronger, more organized snowbands. ![]() The general rule of thumb used by forecasters is that the temperature about 5,000 feet above the surface must be at least 23 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) colder than the lake temperature for lake-effect snow to develop. The blue-shaded regions tend to have the highest frequency of seeing lake-effect snow.Īdditionally, the greater the temperature difference between the air and the water, the stronger the lake-effect snowbands can become. ![]()
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