Lake-Effect Snow — Ashtabula Lakeshore, Ohio

2017-01-04 to 2017-01-07 · Ashtabula Lakeshore, Ohio

Event narrative

Cold northwest winds blowing across Lake Erie caused lake effect snow showers to develop during the afternoon hours of the 4th. The snow showers continued intermittently through daybreak on the 7th and then dissipated during the morning hours. The snow showers were heavy at times, especially during the evening hours of the 5th and early morning hours of the 6th. Snowfall rates during that period exceeded an inch per hour at times. The heaviest snow fell across the northern half of Ashtabula County where totals in some areas were greater than a foot. A few of the higher totals in Ashtabula County included 14.5 inches in Kelloggsville; 11.6 inches in Monroe Township; 11.1 inches at Ashtabula; 9.6 inches at Conneaut and 8.7 inches at Jefferson. Westerly winds gusted to as much as 35 mph on the 4th with 10 to 20 mph winds on the 5th. These strong winds caused a lot of blowing and drifting which helped reduce visibilities. Some accidents were reported.

Wider weather episode

Cold northwest winds blowing across Lake Erie caused lake effect snow showers to develop during the afternoon hours of the 4th. The snow showers continued intermittently through daybreak on the 7th and then dissipated during the morning hours. The snow showers were heavy at times, especially during the evening hours of the 5th and early morning hours of the 6th. Snowfall rates during that period exceeded an inch per hour at times. The heaviest snow fell across the northern half of Ashtabula County where totals in some areas were greater than a foot. A few of the higher totals in Ashtabula County included 14.5 inches in Kelloggsville; 11.6 inches in Monroe Township; 11.1 inches at Ashtabula; 9.6 inches at Conneaut and 8.7 inches at Jefferson. Westerly winds gusted to as much as 35 mph on the 4th with 10 to 20 mph winds on the 5th. These strong winds caused a lot of blowing and drifting which helped reduce visibilities. Some accidents were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 674171. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.