logo
Heavy Lake Effect Snow for the Upper Lakes Today
news image
Top Stories
17 Mar 2023 7:10 PM

An upper-level low-pressure system has swept through the Great Lakes leading to accumulating snow around Wisconsin and Minnesota. Now, much colder air arrives behind the storm system, prompting lake effect snow showers this weekend. Winter weather alerts are in effect to account for up to a foot of fresh new snow along the lakeshores. The low-pressure system pulls into New England by Saturday morning, but lingering cold air and northerly/northwesterly flow will produce snow showers off of Lake Superior.

Forecast models are suggesting the heaviest snowfall into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan because once this quick-moving system moves through, the favorable west-northwest wind and unfrozen waters of Lake Superior will help bring in lake-enhanced snow bands. Up to 5-12 inches of snow will be possible in the UP.

The reason we see lake effect snow this late into the winter season is because the ice coverage of the Great Lakes is substantially less compared to normal, and last year. Lake effect snow needs ice free water to happen, and with only 0-10% coverage of ice on the Great Lakes, colder airmasses and moisture can produce lake effect snow deeper into the season.

Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on our winter storm and wet weather potential - the Central Regional Forecast is always :30 past the hour.

All Weather News
Multi-Day Severe Threat From the Plains to the Midwest
Multi-Day Severe Threat From the Plains to the Midwest
A multi-day severe weather threat will strike
31 Mar 2023 2:40 AM
Significant Severe Weather Event for the South Friday
Significant Severe Weather Event for the South Friday
Confidence is increasing in the threat of sev
31 Mar 2023 2:35 AM
Blizzard Conditions, Ice and Snow for High Plains Friday
Blizzard Conditions, Ice and Snow for High Plains Friday
The last day of March will feature an active
31 Mar 2023 2:15 AM
Increased Fire Danger Threat in the Southern Plains
Increased Fire Danger Threat in the Southern Plains
There is a high fire danger threat through th
30 Mar 2023 10:25 PM
Winter Continues in the Western U.S. With Snow in the Rockies & Cascades
Winter Continues in the Western U.S. With Snow in the Rockies & Cascades
The same storm system that is impacting Calif
30 Mar 2023 10:20 PM
Latest Storm Continues to Slam California With Rain and Snow
Latest Storm Continues to Slam California With Rain and Snow
Another area of low pressure is pushing onto
30 Mar 2023 12:35 PM
Avalanche Risk Remains Considerable Through the Rockies With More Snow This Week
Avalanche Risk Remains Considerable Through the Rockies With More Snow This Week
Are you headed into the High Country over the
30 Mar 2023 11:40 AM