Science Question?

Question

Why do cities on the EAST side of Lake Erie (ex. Cleveland, Ashtabula) tend to get MORE snow than cities on the WEST side of the lake (ex. Toledo,)?

Answer 1

Good question Kyrstin. Here is the proper scientific answer to your question. Whenever cold dry air blows across the lake in the winter months it easily picks up evaporating moisture from the relatively warmer lake. This warmer surface also causes vertical convection currents which help to lift this moisture laden air aloft where it condenses into snow producing clouds. By the time these clouds are blown to the east side of the lake (Cleveland, Erie, etc.) snow is falling and sometime as in Syracuse NY or Buffalo NY which are affected in the same way by Lake Ontario a great deal of snow accumulates.

Answer 2

The jet stream creates lake effect snow and dumps it to the east of the lake.

Answer 3

its called lake effect snow. YES. look at parts of NY like Buffalo, they get pounded with lake effect snow. storms pick up strength over the lakes and dump it on surrounding territories. used to live in toldedo, snow is mild there compaired to areas on the east of the lake. best of luck.