Lake-effect snow to ramp up as Arctic air surges over Great Lakes this week
A brisk pattern and lack of ice coverage across the Great Lakes will commence yet another round of lake-effect snow through at least midweek, AccuWeather experts warn.
Lauree Simmons, with Big Dog Ranch Rescue, joins AccuWeather to discuss how to protect your pets if they’re not used to the snow, as well as their efforts to save pets affected by the California wildfires.
Waves of lake-effect snow will be spread across the Great Lakes and interior Northeast through at least midweek, burying some towns in feet of fresh snow, AccuWeather experts say.
A true round of lake-effect-induced snow escalated into Tuesday and will continue through Wednesday.
"A storm that swept through the Great Lakes region and brought a round of snow will also kick off another round of lake-effect snow downwind of the lakes over the upcoming days. Once again, the potential for feet of snow downwind of Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario are possible between Monday and Wednesday night, likely leading to hazardous travel," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
•Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+
Some of the highest snow totals through midweek, which could exceed a foot, are expected across the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Porcupine Mountains and between Munising, Michigan, and Whitefish Point, Michigan, along the shores of Lake Superior.
In intense snow showers and squalls, visibility can be drastically reduced to less than a quarter mile. In the steadiest and most persistent bands, snowfall rates can be anywhere from 1 to 3 inches per hour, which can overwhelm plow trucks trying to keep roads and highways clear.
"The combination of the ongoing storm and the lake-effect snow to follow across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula can lead to some travel delays for motorists, but the snow will be very much welcomed by snowmobilers and other outdoor enthusiasts," added Buckingham.
How cold will it get?
Overnight temperatures in the teens and single digits were common across parts of the Midwest, Ohio Valley and interior Northeast earlier this week.
Meanwhile, lows across the Dakotas into Wisconsin and portions of Iowa were subzero, even plummeting more than 20 degrees F below zero in places like Fargo, North Dakota. Low temperatures Wednesday night are expected to be higher than previous nights, only falling into the teens and 20s.
Wind gusts this week will range from 20-30 mph in some locations, which may not be incredibly impactful by themselves, but in conjunction with the brisk temperatures, will allow for AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures to plunge as low as 20 degrees below zero.
When will the lake-effect machine turn off for the season?
Buckingham added that even though the Great Lakes have observed a notable drop in temperatures courtesy of the extended stretch of cold weather this January, temperatures are still 1-3 degrees Fahrenheit above the historical average across all of the lakes.
The current ice coverage across the lakes is not extensive, with only areas of the western shorelines seeing higher concentrations. Smaller inlets and locations like the Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair and far western portions of Lake Erie are currently seeing the highest percentages of ice coverage.
"Typically, lake-effect snow events become less severe deeper into the winter season, but with the lakes still under 20% ice coverage and warmer than average, another impressive event is expected to occur," noted Buckingham.
Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Report a Typo
