December 7, 2006 Lake Effect Snow Set-up

Alberta Clipper Brings Cold Air to Lake Erie

satellite view of the Great Lakes

An Alberta Clipper that traversed southern Canada, brought a cold front across northern Ohio and northwest PA Wednesday night. Cold air behind this system, both at the surface and aloft, passing over the relatively warm Lake Erie water will eventually produce lake effect snows downwind of the lake Thursday.

Across Michigan Wednesday evening, temperatures were already in the twenties with light snow falling area wide. Further north across Lake Superior, lake effect snow showers can be seen already developed in this enhanced infrared satellite image with individual bands oriented northwest to southeast. Single digit temperatures were across northern Wisconsin and Minnesota.