How does lake effect snow occur?

Answer 1

Snow, known as "lake-effect snow," is generated from the temperature contrast between the cold arctic air moving over the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes (or other large body of water). Unlike most winter storms, lake effect snows do not build their foundation upon strong areas of low pressure. Instead, they are fueled by the same dry arctic air that is responsible for clearing skies over land in other parts of the country. Specifically, cold arctic air passing over the Great Lakes picks up moisture and deposits it as snow inland from the downwind shore. So while other parts of the northeastern United States are clearing up after a recent cold frontal passage, communities near the Great Lakes wait for the lake effect snow machine to fire up!

Lake Effect snow is bands of narrow, but at times very heavy snow that is generated by cold air blowing over large areas of fresh water; such as the Great Lakes. The air moving over the warmer waters of the lake picks up the moisture from the water and deposits it as snow on the down wind side of the lake. Areas famous for Lake Effect snow are the eastern portions of Lake Ontario in New York such as Oswego County. In February 2007 some portions of Oswego County, New York received up to 11 feet of snow in a 5 day time frame. also the lake effect can make tremendous snow in the winter. it may cause lots of damage to lots of things
Cold air blows over large lakes,and then over land.
When a cold air mass travels over a warm body of water, that causes lake effect snow. This can occur over any body of water.
Cold dry winds blow across the surface of a much warmer body of water for a significant distance, then continue into some land area. Many areas south and east of the Great Lakes receive a lot of lake effect snow.
Cold air from the northwest gains moisture and warmth as it passes over the great lakes which causes a lake-effect snowstorm
Lake effect snows occur when a mass of sufficiently cold air moves over a body of warmer water, creating an unstable temperature profile in the atmosphere. As a result, clouds build over the lake and eventually develop into snow showers and squalls as they move downwind.