Climatology of Great Lakes Lake-Effect: Relation to Climate Patterns

Visible GOES satellite imagery was used to identify lake-effect events in the Great Lakes region during a 17-winter time period (1997/1998 through 2013/2014). This information provides an unmatched understanding of the frequency and variations of lake-effect events within the Great Lakes region. Forecasting lake-effect precipitation is a frequent challenge during the winter months and may benefit from enhanced understanding of the connection of large-scale climate patterns to active periods of lake-effect in the Great Lakes region. Results from the current study show that the phase index of the Arctic Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation decreased with an increase in the widespread extent of lake-effect in the Great Lakes region. The Pacific North America phase index was found to become more positive with an increase in the widespread extent of lake-effect in the Great Lakes region. Additional results and discussion of composite synoptic patterns and connection of lake-effect in the Great Lakes regions to large-scale climate signals will be provided.