CLEVELAND — Lake effect snow is in the forecast for parts of Northeast Ohio through the Thanksgiving holiday. This lake effect snow event could produce intense lake snow bands capable of 1-2 inch snowfall rates per hour. The science behind those sudden whiteout bursts often a product of a tightly tuned atmospheric engine fueled directly by the Great Lakes.

This setup begins when cold air masses sweep across Lake Erie. In December and early January, Erie remains one of the warmest Great Lakes. That temperature contrast between the cold air above and the warm water below creates the instability needed for powerful lake effect bands.

The frigid air crosses the lake, it rapidly picks up heat and moisture from the exposed surface. This exchange triggers the process of condensation or narr

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