BIG Winter Storm? Heavy Rain & Colder Temps-Here’s What Changed

[@scoutperfect3311]

Wow! This weather forecast has taken several twists and turns ovee the last few days. Thanks for keeping us all informed!

[@TheWeatherFarm]

It's been quite a ride, but we're here to track it all!

[@RichardLincoln-n7p]

I was ready for snow!!!!!

[@TheWeatherFarm]

I agree! I am hoping that come December we will see a more active pattern.

[@ZeefZeefZeef]

You mention the lake effects in the Great Lakes area. How big does a body of water have to be for significant lake effects? Or do they always occur but on a much smaller scale? Are there other regions in the us where they occur?

[@TheWeatherFarm]

You generally need a long enough (or wide enough) body of water that the colder air moving over the warmer water has enough time/distance to create instability by picking up moisture and heat from the lake. A good estimate is at least 40 miles. There are cases where under the right local conditions and wind direction, much smaller bodies of water have been able to produce lake effect precipitation (rain or snow). Lake Champlain in Vermont is another non-Great Lake body of water that can experience this.

[@scottfitzgerald885]

I am in MA 01832.....why does the last decade have more moisture and less snow....I stayed out of school for the storm of 1978

[@TheWeatherFarm]

Thanks for the question - beautiful area where you are - we often spend our summers out on the Cape. Given your location, I would say that warmer ocean temperatures (even 1/4 degree C) have added more warm air into coastal storms and what may have fallen as snow 50 years ago is falling as rain. Also warmer air can hold more moisture - the same weather system at 60F can hold twice the moisture as the same weather system at 30F. FInally, storm track has a lot to do with snow/rain - if a storm comes up the coastline and is 20-30 miles inland, it will tend to pull in more warmer air from the ocean as opposed to a track that is 20-30 miles offshore that will allow colder air to be in the core of the system. Thanks for stopping by!