PORT HURON, Mich. – Winds are creating lake-effect snow off of Lake Huron in Michigan's Thumb region.
The weather service said Monday morning that up to 4 inches of snow was reported between Port Sanilac and Lakeport. Up to 8 inches is possible in places.
School closings:
SANILAC - Croswell-Lexington Comm Schools, Closing at 11:30 AM
SANILAC - Sanilac Special Ed., Closing at 12:30 PM
Detailed forecast:
Lake effect snow boils down to two things: temperature of the air and lake, and the wind direction. First, if there is a large difference between the lake temperature and the air above it, then a very unstable lower atmosphere develops.
Air flowing across the lake is warmed, and also picks up moisture. When that air moves off the smooth water and onto land with its higher terrain, buildings and trees, friction slows the wind…which then forces some of that air upward. Since rising air is what produces clouds and precipitation, this is what causes lake effect snow to develop.
In today’s case, north-northeast wind flowing across the relatively warmer waters of Lake Huron (and especially warmer due to the mild November and December we had) caused some intense lake effect bands.
The exact orientation of these snow bands is determined by the exact wind direction, with areas under the band enduring white-out conditions, and areas outside of the band experience rather benign conditions.
And boy did the snow pile up. Here are some snow totals that I received thus far this afternoon:
Applegate 9.0”
Port Sanilac 8.0”
5 Miles Northeast of Croswell 5.0”
2 Miles East of Goodells 5.0”
Sandusky 3.5”
Since our north-northeast wind will quickly swing around to the southwest later today, the lake effect bands will also quickly dissipate across the Thumb.