Key Processes Lead to
Lake-Effect Snowstorms
qAs cold air moves over the warm lake, it is heated up by the
warmer lake water and
receives more moisture from the lake evaporation.
qAs a result, the air directly above the lake surface can be
heated up as much as 20°C
while crossing the lake.
qAbove the warming surface layer, air remains cold, a condition
leads to rapid destabilization.
qClouds begin to from soon after air moves out over lake,
growing in height and intensity
downwind shoreline è snow
squalls are
produced.