Lake-Effect Snow — Oswego, New York

2025-01-26 to 2025-01-27 · Oswego, New York

Wider weather episode

Lake effect snow developed east of Lake Ontario in the wake of a weak passing warm frontal boundary that resulted in earlier synoptic snow across the area. Passing cold fronts along with a trough over the region continued to support lake effect snow off of Lake Ontario through the early morning of January 27th. Off of Lake Ontario, much higher equilibrium heights compared to Lake Erie allowed for organized lake snow to continue while off of Lake Erie, little to no lake snow developed. An upstream connection with the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron was also a contributing factor to the lake effect event off the east and southeast end of Lake Ontario. Marginally cold temperatures at the surface and aloft limited the heavier snow amounts to the higher terrain.

Snowfall amounts for this event include: 12.5 inches in Castorland, 12.0 inches in Taylorville and Lorraine, 11.2 inches in Hooker, 11.0 inches in Copenhagen and Croghan and 10.5 inches in Barnes Corners.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1236258. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.