Lake Effect Madness

US and Canada Daily Snow

Heads up, there may be fresher snow! Read the latest US and Canada Daily Snow

By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 2 years ago November 18, 2022

Summary

An intense lake effect snow event will impact portions of Michigan, Ontario, and New York on Friday with additional snow showers persisting through the weekend. The West will largely remain dry aside from some snow for the CO Front Range early Friday. Next week, a relatively weak storm will impact the West, while the East could potentially see some active weather over Thanksgiving weekend.

Short Term Forecast

Significant lake effect snow event underway

All eyes are on the Great Lakes as we finish out the week where a historic lake effect snow event is unfolding around Buffalo. Ski resorts across Michigan, Ontario, and Western New York are also benefiting from this event with significant totals adding up through the weekend. On Thursday afternoon, heavy snow was already falling at ski resorts in Michigan as well as Kissing Bridge and Peek 'n Peak in New York.

Forecast for Fri 11/18 – Sat 11/19:

The most intense lake effect snow will occur on Friday and Friday night, followed by additional snow showers on Saturday. Northern New England will see some light snow showers associated with the lake effect activity as well. Out West, the Front Range of Colorado will wake up to fresh snow on Friday morning, primarily on the east side of the Continental Divide.

Forecast for Sun 11/20 – Mon 11/21:

Lake effect snow showers will continue on Sunday and possibly even Monday across the Eastern Great Lakes region with light snow showers for Northern New England as well. A storm will also impact the coastal ranges of Alaska and Northern BC during this period with some light snow potentially reaching the Northern Washington Cascades on Monday.

Forecast for Tue 11/22 – Wed 11/23:

Heavy snow is possible across the BC Coast Range and Washington Cascades on Tuesday. However, the storm will weaken as it moves inland with generally light to moderate snow expected across the Northern Rockies heading into Wednesday, while Utah and Colorado will be a close call depending on the track of the storm.

A minor disturbance could also produce some light snow showers across the Great Lakes and New England, though confidence is low at this time.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Thu 11/24 – Mon 11/28:

The pattern is trending warmer and drier across the Western U.S. over Thanksgiving weekend, while the storm track looks more favorable for British Columbia. Toward the end of this period, we may start to see the storm track dip south of the border into the Cascades.

Across the East, we're seeing hints of a possible storm over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, though we're admittedly still too far out to have much confidence yet.