Lake-Effect Snow — Ashtabula Lakeshore, Ohio

2014-11-13 · Ashtabula Lakeshore, Ohio

Event narrative

Cold west to northwest flow across Lake Erie caused lake effect snow showers to develop just before daybreak on November 13th. The snow showers picked up in intensity during the daytime hours of the 13th with periods of heavy snow throughout the day. The heaviest snow initially was close to the Lake Erie Shoreline. The snow showers became more scattered during the evening of the 13th. Snowfall rates at times exceeded an inch per hour and visibilities were a half mile or less. In Astabula County the heaviest snow fell over the northern half of the county with 6 to 10 inches reported. On the 13th the heaviest snow was along the lake shore but on the 14th the heavier snow fell further inland. A peak total of 13.0 inches was reported at Pierpont. This was the first big snow of the year and travel was hampered by this storm.

Wider weather episode

Cold west to northwest flow across Lake Erie caused lake effect snow showers to develop just before daybreak on November 13th. The snow showers picked up in intensity during the daytime hours of the 13th with periods of heavy snow throughout the day. The heaviest snow initially was close to the Lake Erie Shoreline. The snow showers became more scattered during the evening of the 13th and then reorganized early on the 14th as the flow became northwest. This change spread the heavier snow inland across Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga Counties. The snow diminished in intensity and coverage during the evening of the 14th and ended early on the 15th. Snowfall rates at times exceeded an inch per hour and visibilities were a half mile or less. Snowfall accumulations in Lake County ranged from 8 to 12 inches with most of this falling during the daylight hours of the 13th. A peak total of 12.7 inches was reported at Mentor. In Astabula County the heaviest snow fell over the northern half of the county with 6 to 10 inches reported. On the 13th the heaviest snow was along the lake shore but on the 14th the heavier snow fell further inland. A peak total of 13.0 inches was reported at Pierpont. In Geauga County, storm totals were also 8 to 12 inches with much of the snow falling during the morning of the 14th. A peak total of 15.6 inches was reported north of Chardon. Similar to Geauga County, the heaviest snow in Cuyahoga County fell early on the 14th. Storm totals from the 13th and 14th were in excess of 10 inches over the eastern end of the county. A peak total of 12.6 inches was measured in Shaker Heights. This was the first big snow of the year and travel was hampered by this storm.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 548899. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.