What is lake-effect snow?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What is lake-effect snow?

The Big Idea

Some towns near big lakes get buried in snow! Nearby towns get almost none. What is lake-effect snow?

Cold Air

Step one: Cold Air. When cold air blows across a big, open lake that's still warm in fall and early winter, the air picks up heat and moisture. The lake acts like a warm pan of water.

Rising Clouds

Step two: Rising Clouds. The warm, moist air rises and forms clouds. When it reaches land, it drops its load as snow on the downwind shore.

Snowbelts

Step three: Snowbelts. This can bury places in a narrow band while nearby areas stay clear. Parts of the Great Lakes have snowbelts, and lake-effect snow stops when the lake freezes over.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Blows across. Adds moisture. Rise up. Falls downwind.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Lake-effect snow stops when the lake freezes over. Snow falls in narrow bands. Warm water adds moisture. Snowbelts get the most.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Look at a winter weather map of the Great Lakes. Find which way the wind blows. Mark the downwind shores. Draw the likely snow bands. Which towns might get snow?

Outro

Lake-effect snow happens when cold air blows across a warm, open lake, picks up heat and moisture, rises into clouds, and drops snow on the downwind shore in narrow bands. It stops when the lake freezes over. Science is amazing! The world is full of surprises. Keep asking big questions, and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!