Regions in the western United States woke up this Friday, November 18th to nearly 2 feet of “lake effect” snow. We tell you all about this weather phenomenon.
Cold snap in the US. Indeed, North America has faced a drop in temperature for the past week. Consequence: Snow has fallen in abundance on the shores of the Great Lakes, such as in the Buffalo region, New York state, where up to 1.20m of powder snow is expected, reports La Chaîne Météo.
Sustainable lake effect
Crossing the Great Lakes regionthe freezing cold air absorbs moisture and throws off huge snowfalls in certain sectors and particularly on the shores of the Great Lakes. This is the famous “lake effect” defined here by La Chaîne Météo.
“Very cold air will accompany this event Temperatures 20 degrees below the usual value for the time of yearwarned the National Weather Service, the meteorological institute.
These maps show where high temperatures of more than 20°F below normal are forecast over the next few days. Unusually cool air will continue through parts of Texas until Monday. Go to https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP for your latest local forecast. pic.twitter.com/iQ9qNx1wz1
— National Weather Service (@NWS) November 18, 2022
Such a phenomenon had not occurred for a month of November since 2014. According to Brandon Miller, CNN meteorologist, quoted by TF1 Info, this snowy episode would be unprecedented even in more than 20 years.
The Weather Channel warns: This phenomenon will continue. In some cities like Chicago, not even a thaw is expected until Monday.
state of emergency declared
For now the snow has already reached 30 to 50 cm of powderin Buffalo, New York, on the eastern tip of Lake Erie.