Lake-effect Snow Events Research Articles

Lake-Effect Rain Events

Abstract Seven years of autumnal (September–November) precipitation data are examined to determine the characteristics of lake-effect precipitation downwind of Lake Erie. Atmospheric conditions for each lake-effect event are compiled and the mean atmospheric environment for rain events is constructed and compared to conditions for lake-effect snow events. It is found that lake-effect precipitation occurs approximately one out of every five days with a diurnal peak in precipitation intensity during the afternoon and evening. The greatest number of lake-effect days occurs in October followed by November and then September. Comparison of these results to regional precipitation climatologies strongly suggests that the season of lake enhanced precipitation begins in late summer. Precipitation is predominantly rain throughout September and October and snow after the first week of November. A transition period of both rain and snow occurs in early November. Analysis of thunder events for the 7-yr period show a l...

Numerical Simulation of the Airflow over Lake Michigan for a Major Lake-Effect Snow Event

Abstract A mesoscale model is used to simulate the airflow over Lake Michigan for the major lake-effect snowstorm of 10 December 1977. This storm was characterized by a land breeze circulation and a narrow shore-parallel radar reflectivity band. The model successfully simulated the major atmospheric circulation features including a mesoscale low pressure center and a land breeze front. The model also captured the general character of the observed precipitation pattern which was typified by a narrow band of heavy precipitation along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Further simulations were made to examine the effects of latent heat release, lake surface temperature distribution and model grid resolution upon the simulation. Latent heat release was found to have an important effect in strengthening convection. However, the basic land-breeze circulation was found to develop for the simulated conditions even without latent beating. For a given mean lake-land temperature difference, details of the lake surf...