Lake-Effect Snow — Madison, New York

2025-01-01 to 2025-01-05 · Madison, New York

Event narrative

Lake effect snow accumulated between 6 and 20 inches.

Wider weather episode

A long duration lake effect snow event brought significant snowfall, especially near and north of the NYS Thruway corridor. Snow started on Wednesday, the 1st, and then increased in intensity on Thursday, the 2nd, through midday Friday, the 3rd, as a multi-lake connection set up. A multi-lake connection returned at times through the weekend and moisture from the Atlantic was drawn into the region along the backside of a broad upper low over eastern Canada enhancing the lake effect. The main lake effect band fluctuated north and south at times and brought locally heavy bouts of snow several times across portions of central NY through the 5th before finally dissipating. The band resided the longest over northern Oneida County, where snow amounts as high as 65-75 inches were reported. Strong winds accompanied the lake effect snow at times leading to blowing and drifting snow and low visibility.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1225610. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.