The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow warning for several counties, including Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis. This alert will remain in effect until 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Oswego County is expecting the most snow, with 1 to 2 feet likely in areas that typically get heavy lake effect bands. Northern Cayuga, southern Jefferson, and western Lewis counties could see an extra 6 to 12 inches during this time.
On Wednesday morning, the snow band was anticipated to shift southwest. This means heavy snowfall would move from Wayne and northern Cayuga counties northeast into Oswego and Jefferson counties. Snowfall could reach rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour in the morning, though a decrease in intensity is expected later in the day.
By Wednesday evening, multiple snow bands in Jefferson County might combine into one strong band, moving south across the Tug Hill region and back into Oswego County overnight. This band is likely to stay over western Oswego and northern Cayuga counties until early Thursday afternoon, eventually settling further south along the lake.
After Thursday, lighter lake effect snow is expected from Friday through Saturday.
Forecasting snow can be tricky due to the constant movement of the bands. If you’d like to stay updated on weather conditions, you can find more information at the National Weather Service.
Lake effect snow is a fascinating winter phenomenon. It happens when cold winds blow over warmer lake waters, causing moisture to evaporate. This moisture then falls as snow when it reaches colder land. In fact, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), areas near the Great Lakes can receive over 200 inches of snow each winter due to lake effect storms.
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about how climate change is affecting snowfall patterns. Warmer lake temperatures could lead to increased snowfall, even as overall winter temperatures rise. A study published in 2022 found that while average winter temperatures are increasing, the frequency of extreme snowfall events is also rising. This trend highlights the changing nature of our winters, making weather alerts like this one increasingly important.
Stay safe and be prepared for the changing weather!
