theweatherprediction.com
[--MAIN HOME--] [--ALL HABYHINTS--]

LAKE EFFECT SNOW QUESTIONS

METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY

Is wind directional change with height less than 30 ° from surface to 850 millibars and less than 60 ° from the surface to 700 millibars? Question#1
Is the average lake water temperature greater than 13° C more than the 850 mb temperature AND is lake unfrozen? Question#2
Is the height of the inversion (depth of arctic air) above the 700 millibar level? Question#3
Is the average PBL windspeed between 10 mph and 45 mph? Question#4
Is the fetch of wind over the lake greater than 100 kilometers? Question#5
Does significant orographic lifting occur downwind from the lake? Question#6
Is the average PBL temperature below freezing Question#7


The more questions that are answered YES, the greater the likelihood for heavy lake effect snow.