Lake-Effect Quiz Review

Match the terms to the correct definitions below.

• Capping Inversion

• A layer of relatively warm air and/ or dry aloft which inhibits cloud growth.

• Snowbelts

• Snow that results from cold air moving across warmer lakes

• Snow Squall

• Distance wind travels over open water

• Lake Effect Snow

• Heavy shower of snow that greatly reduces visibility.

• Fetch

• Areas most favorable to receive snowfall, downwind of lakes, based on average wind direction.

True or False: Lake Effect Snow is a serious problem for people who live the Great Lakes area.

• True

• False

How many hours does lake effect snow start after a cold frontal passage?

• 1 hour

• 2 hours

• 6 hours

• 12 hours

The strongest lake effect bands tend to have an average width of ____ miles, sometimes narrower.

• 6-9

• 10-12

• 15-16

• 20-22

What is a typical lake temperature for lake effect snow to occur?

• 0-13 degrees

• 15-24 degrees

• 25-29 degrees

• 32-46 degrees

Snow can be ​ (a)   which can accumulate​ (b)   and be blown around​ easily.

• low density
• high density
• quickly
• slowly

True or False: Winds at the surface represent the trajectory of the lake-effect band.

• True

• False

The​ (a)   the capping inversion, the​ (b)   the cell can develop, the greater the latent heat release and the​ (c)   the circulation.

• higher
• deeper
• lower
• stronger
• more shallow
• weaker

Organize the factors into favorable or unfavorable factors for lake-effect snow.

Groups:

(a) Favorable Environment

,

(b) Unfavorable Environment

• big temperature difference (27 degrees)

• high or no capping inversion

• convergence of wind with land

• warming aloft and/or at surface, dry air

• lowering capping inversion

• frozen lake

• unfrozen lake

• low wind shear

• high wind shear