Lake-Effect Snow — Northern Cayuga, New York

2021-02-20 · Northern Cayuga, New York

Wider weather episode

A progressive mid-level trough passed across the eastern Great Lakes. Wrap around moisture increased across the area, and cold air advection sent temperatures plummeting. Lake effect snow ramped up southeast of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie in the west-northwest flow as inversion heights climbed. As the event unfolded, satellite imagery displayed a moisture connection to Lake Huron for the Lake Erie band, but not as deep a connection to the partially frozen Georgian Bay for the Lake Ontario band. This resulted in very impressive totals downstream from Lake Erie but less impressive totals downstream of Lake Ontario. Selected snow totals for the event included 32 inches in Boston, 30.6 inches in West Falls, 10.8 inches in Silver Creek, 30.8 inches near Warsaw, 9.5 inches in Pultneyville, 8 inches in Ashford Hollow, and 8.3 inches in South Butler.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 945332. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.