Abstract
Abstract The mesoscale air temperature and dew point fields in a synoptic situation where air with a temperature at least 25°C colder than lake water temperature passed over the western Great Lakes is investigated. The airflow experienced an average temperature rise of 8°C and a dew point rise of 15°C from one shore of Lake Michigan to the other. Leeward of Lake Michigan the surface air temperature and dew point of the airflow decreased approximately 2°C and 4°C, respectively, as the air moved inland. Strong temperature gradients, referred to as lake–end pseudofronts, were found perpendicular to the flow downwind from the end of the lakes. The lake-end pseudofront at the southern end of Lake Michigan was 25–50 km wide, extended over 100 km downstream, and had an average magnitude of 0.5°C (5 km)−1. A band of heavy snow was associated with it. Ice on the lakes, coupled with a transitory wind shift, allowed unmodified cold air to penetrate into lower Michigan for several hours. Low dew points accompanied th...
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