Lake Effect Snow

We’ve been getting our fair share of snow on the Gunflint Trail and we love it. Ever hear the term lake effect snow and not know what it meant? Here are some cool photos and an explanation.

Lake Superior

 

Anatomy of lake-effect snow

Lake-effect snowfall occurs when colder arctic air blows over relatively warmer lake water on the open Great Lakes. Smaller lake-effect events can also occur on some of Minnesota’s bigger lakes, including Red, Leech and Mille Lacs.

As the colder air blows over the relatively milder waters, heat, and moisture are exchanged and lake-effect snow squalls form and dump out on the downwind side of lakes.

lae superior

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