A Comparison of Two Particularly Intense Lake-Effect Snowstorms in Central New York (5–9 December 2010 and 20–21 November 2016): Assessing the Importance of Atlantic Inflow and Lake-to-Lake Connectivity

In early December, 2010, snowfall totals of 40-60” (100-150 cm) were observed over portions of central New York (centered near Syracuse, NY) during an extended period of lake-effect snow. Interestingly, similarly heavy totals were also measured well upstream over southern Ontario. In fact, London, Ontario recorded an impressive 47.2” (120 cm) in a single day, easily establishing their 24 hour snowfall record.

More recently, in late November, 2016, another intense, although shorter lived lake-effect snow event produced 20-40” (50-100 cm) over sections of central New York within a 24-36 hour period. This time, heavy snowfall totals extended unusually far inland from the Lake Ontario shoreline, actually reaching into far northern Pennsylvania.

Synoptic and mesoscale aspects of each case will be compared and contrasted. Key aspects that will be investigated include a long fetch of Atlantic moisture which wrapped around the main vertically stacked cyclone in each case, as well as influences from upstream Great Lakes (most notably Lake Huron (including Georgian Bay) and northern Lake Michigan). Additionally, surface, 850 hPa, 700 hPa, and 500 hPa data will be compared against composite plots of past lake-effect snow events that featured lengthy inland extent.