Lake effect rain, snow produce slick conditions | News, Sports, Jobs - Evening Observer

Oct 19, 2022

: OBSERVER Photos by Gregory Bacon Two vehicles were involved in a crash around 9 a.m. Tuesday on Route 60 in the town of Charlotte between Moon and Luce roads.

: Photos by Timothy Frudd Enough snow fell in Dewittville to cover the ground Tuesday morning.

There’s usually more tricks than treats when the phrase “lake effect” pops up in the weather forecast before Halloween.
Some motorists found that out Tuesday morning.
Road conditions in some spots were apparently slick after what the National Weather Service described as widespread lake effect rain and wet snow showers moved into Western New York.
By 8 a.m. Tuesday, at least two vehicle rollovers were reported on Interstate 86, one in Sherman and the other in Poland. There also were accidents on Fluvanna Townline Road near the town of Gerry and one on Cassadaga Stockton Road near the town of Stockton.
Two vehicles were involved in a crash around 9 a.m. on Route 60 in the town of Charlotte between Moon and Luce roads. New York state troopers responded.
OBSERVER Photos by Gregory Bacon Two vehicles were involved in a crash around 9 a.m. Tuesday on Route 60 in the town of Charlotte between Moon and Luce roads.
No serious injuries were reported.
In its short term forecast that included Chautauqua and southern Erie counties, the National Weather Service said the arrival of snow was heavy enough across the higher terrain to briefly coat roads.
“Motorists should be prepared for slick conditions on some overpasses and across elevated terrain,” the Buffalo office of the Weather Service said.
In some places, such as Dewittville, there was enough accumulation to cover the ground in the morning.
David Zaff, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Buffalo, said lake effect rain is no different than lake effect snow in how it’s formed. “The only difference is, of course, it’s falling as rain versus snow,” Zaff said.
Photos by Timothy Frudd Enough snow fell in Dewittville to cover the ground Tuesday morning.
According to the Weather Service, lake effect precipitation occurs when cold air moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the warm waters, warmth and moisture are transferred into the lowest portion of the atmosphere.
The air rises, clouds form and grow into narrow band that produces rain or snow.
“The longer the time you have that cold air over the lake, the more pronounced the lake effect typically will be,” Zaff said. “Again, the only difference is temperature. What’s going on by the time you get to the surface?”
He added, “So, what you’re getting right now is indeed lake effect, and it’s very common to get lake effect rain from roughly August to September, October. Then, of course, as you get colder and colder … you’ll get that lake effect snow into November, December, January and February or until the lake freezes.”
Rain and snow remain in the forecast for Wednesday morning, with highs around 40 degrees in the Jamestown area and 46 near Dunkirk. The mixed precipitation will change to all rain in the afternoon.
The evening forecast calls for rain with some snow mixing in late, with a low of about 33 degrees in Jamestown and 38 in Dunkirk.
By Thursday, temperatures are estimated to be around 45 degrees throughout the county with overcast skies.
Temps are expected to hit the mid-50s on Friday and in the 60s on Saturday.
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