It lasts as long as the synoptic setup persists. Sometimes a band can only stay together for a few hours, while it is not that uncommon for a snow band to persist for a couple days, simply oscillating in location as the wind direction varies slightly. Usually these bands either get shut off because the wind direction shifts it off the lake, or because there is not enough moisture or lift in the atmosphere to generate the clouds and precipitation. It is difficult for the latter to remain favorable for more than a couple days, hence why you don't get lake effect snow for a week even though the wind might remain off the lake.
Currently I believe there is an extended period of lake effect and upslope snow over the Great Lakes. There is a deep upper level trough over this part of the country, and a ton of shortwaves (which provide energy and lift) rotating around it which are giving pulses of off and on snow showers depending on the location. While bands themselves don't last all that long, the threat of snow showers can persist for even a couple weeks when these patterns get "locked in" as it appears to be right now.
Lake effect snow can last for several hours to several days, depending on the strength of the cold air mass moving over the lake, the temperature difference between the air and the water, and the wind direction. Typically, lake effect snow showers can persist for 12-24 hours, but in some cases, they can last longer.
Increased quantity of snowfall due to proximity of a lake.
cP
Lake-effect snow is more likely to occur in New York because of the Great Lakes, which provide a source of moisture for the snow to form. Oklahoma, being farther from large bodies of water, does not experience lake-effect snow to the same extent.
No, lake effect snow is typically seen in regions near the Great Lakes where cold air passes over the warmer lake waters, picking up moisture and creating heavy snowfall. Tennessee's climate and geographical location do not experience the conditions necessary for lake effect snow to occur.
Buffalo is famous for its heavy snowfall, particularly due to the phenomenon known as "lake-effect snow" from nearby Lake Erie. This leads to frequent snowstorms and cold temperatures during the winter months.
Yes, Lake George NY can experience lake effect snow due to its proximity to Lake George. When cold air masses move over the relatively warmer lake waters, it can result in increased moisture and snowfall in the region.
Down wind of the lake.
Much of their snow is "lake effect snow".
No.
Increased quantity of snowfall due to proximity of a lake.
Lake effect snow: water from Lake Erie picks up water and holds that moisture, releasing it in the form of snow downwind of the lake.
cP
An Arctic air mass moving over relatively warm lake water can cause lake effect snow. As the cold air near the surface picks up moisture from the warmer lake, it becomes unstable and produces localized bands of heavy snow downwind of the lake.
Lake effect snow: water from Lake Erie picks up water and holds that moisture, releasing it in the form of snow downwind of the lake.
Lake-effect snow is more likely to occur in New York because of the Great Lakes, which provide a source of moisture for the snow to form. Oklahoma, being farther from large bodies of water, does not experience lake-effect snow to the same extent.
It is very unlikely for lake effect snow to reach North Carolina. Lake effect snow is typically associated with the Great Lakes region of the United States, where cold air passing over the relatively warm waters of the lakes picks up moisture and creates heavy snowfall. North Carolina's climate and geography make it rare for lake effect snow to reach that far south.
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