Heavy Lake Effect Snow Downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario; Fire Weather Concerns in the Southern Plains and Southeast

A multi-day heavy lake effect snow event is expected downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario through New Year's Day. There is increasing confidence in snow squalls causing bursts of snow & gusty winds on New Year's Eve. Elevated fire weather conditions will continue today over parts of the Southern Plains and across much of the Southeast U.S. Read More >

A late season winter storm moved quickly through the area Thursday night, dropping several inches of snow and rain over the area. Precipitation began in earnest late Thursday afternoon in the form of rain and thunderstorms in northern Indiana, southern Lower Michigan, and northwest Ohio. The precipitation transitioned back and forth from rain to sleet to snow several times before setting up as mostly snow along and north of US Highway 6; a rain/sleet/snow mix between US 6 and US 30; and mainly rain south of US 30. Locations where snow became the dominate form of precipitation received anywhere from 2 to over 5 inches with the heaviest snow falling near the Tri-State area of Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. Snowfall reports were almost certainly underestimated as the very wet and heavy snow compacted through the night before observations were taken this morning. Before the event on Thursday, the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana issued a Winter Weather Advisory mentioning 2 to 6 inches of snow and periods of heavy sleet that could cause travel problems.

Locations that saw only rain saw lots of it, with most places reporting over 0.75 inches. Some areas near Fort Wayne reported over 1.50 inches of rain from 7AM Thursday through 7AM Friday. This precipitation has led to rises in many rivers, and minor flooding along the Tiffin River near Stryker in northwest Ohio. Below is a map of snowfall totals and a satellite image of Friday morning’s snowpack:

Simpson

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Heavy Lake Effect Snow Downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario; Fire Weather Concerns in the Southern Plains and Southeast

March 27th, 2008 Snowstorm