Lake Effect Snow From Madison Lakes?

A band of higher reflectivity developed on the NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan (KMKX) radar early this morning. It looks like it originated just southeast of Madison. This band was indeed enhanced by Lake Effect processes. Conditions were just right where cold northwest winds flowed across four lakes (Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa) with relatively warm water temperatures. There were probably light snow showers underneath this band (we would appreciate any reports) that occurred from approximately 1 am through at least 7 am.

MKX Radar Loop

To learn more about the Lake Effect Snow Process, click HERE. The ideal conditions to produce lake effect snow are: a sufficient fetch (distance the air travels across the water), and a lake temperature to 850 mb (around 3500 feet above the ground during that time) temperature difference of at least 13°C. The UW Lake Mendota Buoy water temperature was 56°F (13°C), and the 850 mb temperature was around -5°C. The air temperature at the buoy at this time was 37°F and around 35°F at the Dane County Regional Airport.

National Weather Service

Milwaukee/Sullivan

~Cronce