Lake-Effect Snow — Northern Cayuga, New York

2019-03-06 to 2019-03-07 · Northern Cayuga, New York

Wider weather episode

A mid-level trough moved across the region, providing a second push of mid-level cold air for the week. This allowed for inversion heights to increase above 10 kft with flow behind the mid-level trough quickly organizing a pronounced band of snow off of Lake Ontario. Initial southwesterly flow focused lake snows across Jefferson County, but the band shifted rapidly southward and settled southeast of the lake by March 6. The result was lighter accumulations due to a shorter residence time over Jefferson County but much higher amounts farther south along the southeast shore of Lake Ontario, where the band lingered much longer. Snowfall totals for the event included 21.8 inches near Altamar, 21 inches in Redfield, 14 inches in Hannibal, 15 inches in Sterling, and 10 inches in Red Creek.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 813761. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.