First Lake Effect Event Tonight & Saturday

Our first lake event of the 2012-13 winter season will commence tonight and Saturday. As much as we want lake effect forecast to be more cut and dry, each event is far from it due to the many factors that influence where and how much falls:

* Wind Direction
* Wind Speed (10-20 mph is preferrable)
* Temperature difference between the lake and the air about 5000 feet above the lake* Moisture content from the surface to 10,000 feet
* Elevation Changes
* Depth of the cold air

Most of these components will be present tonight and Saturday. The higher wind speeds (gusts to 35 mph) will reduce the amount of evaporation over the lake and probably the accumulations somewhat. Even with these gusty winds, we will still see some shovelable snow.

SNOWFALL FORECAST BY SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON