Lake-Effect Snow — Chautauqua, New York

2024-12-01 to 2024-12-03 · Chautauqua, New York

Wider weather episode

A prolonged lake effect event developed over the Thanksgiving Weekend, caused by a blocking pattern and the first substantial cold airmass of the season. Temperatures aloft of around -10 degrees Celsius at 850 hPa over the lake waters of around 8 degrees Celsius, combined with passing shortwave troughs and abundant synoptic moisture provided a prime lake effect setup. Resulting equilibrium levels reached 15,000 feet east of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Snowfall was measured in feet off of both lakes, with Lake Ontario having multiple reports of 5 feet or more, and multiple reports of 4 feet or more of snow were received off of Lake Erie.

Notable snowfall report amounts include: 65.9 inches in Copenhagen, 65.5 inches in Worth, 57.9 inches in Perrysburg, 56.5 inches in Cassadaga, 52.8 inches in Black River, 51.4 inches in Cattaraugus, 49.0 inches in Dewittville, 46.0 inches in New Bremen, 38.6 inches in Colden, 27.2 inches in Elma Center, 24.6 inches in Attica, 23.2 inches in Alden and 8.0 inches in Centerville.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1225521. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.