Alert archive / New York / Lake Effect Snow Warnings in 2021

Lake Effect Snow Warning 3, NWS Buffalo, NY

January 21, 2021Jefferson County, Lewis County, Oswego County, New York

NWS Buffalo, NY issued this lake effect snow warning at Jan 21, 2021, 3:29 AM EST for Jefferson County, Lewis County, Oswego County, New York. It took effect at Jan 21, 2021, 1:00 PM EST. It was in force for 14 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 21, 2021, 3:29 AM EST (08:29 UTC)
In effect from
Jan 21, 2021, 1:00 PM EST
Expired
Jan 22, 2021, 3:25 AM EST
In force
14 hr
Issued by
NWS Buffalo, NY

Counties Jefferson County, NY, Lewis County, NY, Oswego County, NY

The radar

The Ft Drum radar (KTYX), 18 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:32 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Albany, NY (KALY), launched 00:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 205 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Albany, NY at 00:00Z on 2021-01-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albany, NY at 00:00Z on 2021-01-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 177 square meters per square second.1939587897117136156Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1371 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
83 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
177 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
195 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

907 
WWUS41 KBUF 210829
WSWBUF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
329 AM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

NYZ006>008-211800-
/O.NEW.KBUF.LE.W.0003.210121T1800Z-210122T1800Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
329 AM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
1 PM EST FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow expected. Total snow 
  accumulations of 6 to 11 inches in the most persistent lake 
  snows.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region. Greatest snowfall
  amounts on teh Tug Hill Plateau.

* WHEN...From 1 PM this afternoon to 1 PM EST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

&&

Experimental content below...do not use operationally
Please see below links for more information on this experiment
http://www.weather.gov/buf/polygon_pdd
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/
pns15lake_effect_snowaaa.htm
To view the experimental polygons please see:
http://www.weather.gov/buf/lespolygon
COORD...4388 7531 4411 7518 4425 7548 4420 7580 
        4387 7619 4361 7620 4346 7561 4349 7551 4384 7553 
        4382 7514 
TIME Y21M01D21T1800Z-Y21M01D22T0000Z
COORD...4384 7553 4397 7569 4398 7581 4391 7594 
        4373 7609 4360 7612 4346 7584 4345 7558 4353 7548 
        4366 7545 
TIME Y21M01D22T0000Z-Y21M01D22T0600Z
COORD...4358 7531 4376 7561 4381 7581 4374 7601 
        4365 7617 4339 7619 4341 7583 4348 7581 4342 7550 
        4352 7533 
TIME Y21M01D22T0600Z-Y21M01D22T1800Z

$$

EAJ
6 follow-up statements
786 
WWUS41 KBUF 211802
WSWBUF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
102 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

NYZ006>008-220300-
/O.CON.KBUF.LE.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210122T1800Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
102 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST
FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations of
  6 to 11 inches in the most persistent lake snows. The heaviest 
  snow will occur tonight.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region. Greatest snowfall
  amounts on the Tug Hill Plateau.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM EST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

&&

Experimental content below...do not use operationally
Please see below links for more information on this experiment
http://www.weather.gov/buf/polygon_pdd
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/
pns15lake_effect_snowaaa.htm
To view the experimental polygons please see:
http://www.weather.gov/buf/lespolygon
COORD...4388 7531 4411 7518 4425 7548 4420 7580 
        4387 7619 4361 7620 4346 7561 4349 7551 4384 7553 
        4382 7514 
TIME Y21M01D21T1800Z-Y21M01D22T0000Z
COORD...4384 7553 4397 7569 4398 7581 4391 7594 
        4373 7609 4360 7612 4346 7584 4345 7558 4353 7548 
        4366 7545 
TIME Y21M01D22T0000Z-Y21M01D22T0600Z
COORD...4358 7531 4376 7561 4381 7581 4374 7601 
        4365 7617 4339 7619 4341 7583 4348 7581 4342 7550 
        4352 7533 
TIME Y21M01D22T0600Z-Y21M01D22T1800Z

$$
JLA
265 
WWUS41 KBUF 211959
WSWBUF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
259 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

NYZ006>008-220400-
/O.CON.KBUF.LE.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210122T1800Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
259 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST
FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations of
  8 to 15 inches in the most persistent lake snows. The heaviest  
  snow will occur tonight into Friday morning.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region. Greatest snowfall on
  the Tug Hill Plateau.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM EST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the evening commute and the morning
  commute on Friday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

&&

Experimental content below...do not use operationally
Please see below links for more information on this experiment
http://www.weather.gov/buf/polygon_pdd
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/
pns15lake_effect_snowaaa.htm
To view the experimental polygons please see:
http://www.weather.gov/buf/lespolygon
COORD...4388 7531 4411 7518 4425 7548 4420 7580 
        4387 7619 4361 7620 4346 7561 4349 7551 4384 7553 
        4382 7514 
TIME Y21M01D21T1800Z-Y21M01D22T0000Z
COORD...4384 7553 4397 7569 4398 7581 4391 7594 
        4373 7609 4360 7612 4346 7584 4345 7558 4353 7548 
        4366 7545 
TIME Y21M01D22T0000Z-Y21M01D22T0600Z
COORD...4358 7531 4376 7561 4381 7581 4374 7601 
        4365 7617 4339 7619 4341 7583 4348 7581 4342 7550 
        4352 7533 
TIME Y21M01D22T0600Z-Y21M01D22T1800Z

$$
JLA
286 
WWUS41 KBUF 212057
WSWBUF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
357 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

NYZ006>008-220500-
/O.CON.KBUF.LE.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210122T1800Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
357 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST
FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations of
  8 to 15 inches in the most persistent lake snows.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region. Greatest snowfall will
  be confined to the the Tug Hill Plateau.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM EST Friday. The heaviest snow will occur
  tonight through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult with deep snow cover on
  roads and poor visibility. The hazardous conditions could 
  impact the evening commute and the morning commute on Friday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

&&

Experimental content below...do not use operationally
Please see below links for more information on this experiment
http://www.weather.gov/buf/polygon_pdd
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/
pns15lake_effect_snowaaa.htm
To view the experimental polygons please see:
http://www.weather.gov/buf/lespolygon
COORD...4408 7515 4425 7548 4420 7580 4387 7619 
        4361 7620 4351 7593 4346 7561 4349 7551 4380 7551 
        4384 7514 
TIME Y21M01D21T1800Z-Y21M01D22T0000Z
COORD...4408 7515 4391 7594 4370 7609 4360 7612 
        4349 7595 4345 7558 4355 7547 4353 7526 4360 7513 
        4371 7511 
TIME Y21M01D22T0000Z-Y21M01D22T0900Z
COORD...4360 7513 4378 7512 4376 7558 4381 7581 
        4365 7617 4339 7619 4348 7581 4335 7587 4347 7570 
        4342 7550 
TIME Y21M01D22T0900Z-Y21M01D22T1800Z

$$

Hitchcock
206 
WWUS41 KBUF 212337
WSWBUF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
637 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

NYZ006>008-220745-
/O.CON.KBUF.LE.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210122T1800Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
637 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST
FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Snow accumulations of 15 to 20
  inches in the most persistent lake snows across the Tug Hill
  Plateau, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour at times.
  5 to 9 inches across the surrounding lower elevations with
  snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region. Greatest snowfall 
  will be confined to the the Tug Hill Plateau.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM EST Friday. The heaviest snow will occur late
  this evening through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult with deep snow cover on
  roads and very poor visibility. The hazardous conditions could
  impact the morning commute on Friday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

&&

Experimental content below...do not use operationally
Please see below links for more information on this experiment
http://www.weather.gov/buf/polygon_pdd
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/
pns15lake_effect_snowaaa.htm
To view the experimental polygons please see:
http://www.weather.gov/buf/lespolygon
COORD...4408 7515 4425 7548 4420 7580 4387 7619 
        4361 7620 4351 7593 4346 7561 4349 7551 4380 7551 
        4384 7514 
TIME Y21M01D21T1800Z-Y21M01D22T0000Z
COORD...4408 7515 4391 7594 4370 7609 4360 7612 
        4349 7595 4345 7558 4355 7547 4353 7526 4360 7513 
        4371 7511 
TIME Y21M01D22T0000Z-Y21M01D22T0900Z
COORD...4360 7513 4378 7512 4376 7558 4381 7581 
        4365 7617 4339 7619 4348 7581 4335 7587 4347 7570 
        4342 7550 
TIME Y21M01D22T0900Z-Y21M01D22T1800Z

$$

Hitchcock
965 
WWUS41 KBUF 220224
WSWBUF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
924 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

NYZ006>008-221130-
/O.CON.KBUF.LE.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210122T1800Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
924 PM EST Thu Jan 21 2021

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST
FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Snow accumulations of 15 to 20 
  inches in the most persistent lake snows across the Tug Hill 
  Plateau, with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour at 
  times. 5 to 9 inches across the surrounding lower elevations 
  with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region. Greatest snowfall 
  will be confined to the the Tug Hill Plateau.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM EST Friday. The heaviest snow will occur 
  late this evening through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult with deep snow cover 
  on roads and very poor visibility. The hazardous conditions 
  could impact the morning commute on Friday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

&&

Experimental content below...do not use operationally
Please see below links for more information on this experiment
http://www.weather.gov/buf/polygon_pdd
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/
pns15lake_effect_snowaaa.htm
To view the experimental polygons please see:
http://www.weather.gov/buf/lespolygon
COORD...4408 7515 4425 7548 4420 7580 4387 7619 
        4361 7620 4351 7593 4346 7561 4349 7551 4380 7551 
        4384 7514 
TIME Y21M01D21T1800Z-Y21M01D22T0000Z
COORD...4408 7515 4391 7594 4370 7609 4360 7612 
        4349 7595 4345 7558 4355 7547 4353 7526 4360 7513 
        4371 7511 
TIME Y21M01D22T0000Z-Y21M01D22T0900Z
COORD...4360 7513 4378 7512 4376 7558 4381 7581 
        4365 7617 4339 7619 4348 7581 4335 7587 4347 7570 
        4342 7550 
TIME Y21M01D22T0900Z-Y21M01D22T1800Z

$$

Hitchcock
581 
WWUS41 KBUF 220825
WSWBUF

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
325 AM EST Fri Jan 22 2021

NYZ006>008-221800-
/O.CAN.KBUF.LE.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210122T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KBUF.LE.W.0004.210122T0900Z-210122T1800Z/
Oswego-Jefferson-Lewis-
Including the cities of Oswego, Watertown, and Lowville
325 AM EST Fri Jan 22 2021

...LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow expected. Additional snow 
  accumulations of 5 to 10 inches in the most persistent lake 
  snows which will be across the Tug Hill Plateau.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region. Greatest accumulation
  across the Tug Hill Plateau. Much less snow in Watertown and in 
  northern portions of Jefferson and Lewis Counties.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM EST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult with deep snow cover on
  roads and very poor visibility. Heavy snow will impact
  Interstate 81 from Parish to Adams. The hazardous conditions 
  could impact the morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Heavy snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be
prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

&&

Experimental content below...do not use operationally
Please see below links for more information on this experiment
http://www.weather.gov/buf/polygon_pdd
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/
pns15lake_effect_snowaaa.htm
To view the experimental polygons please see:
http://www.weather.gov/buf/lespolygon
COORD...4380 7512 4385 7520 4387 7556 4392 7588 
        4388 7609 4380 7623 4352 7626 4342 7550 4352 7536 
        4360 7513 
TIME Y21M01D22T0900Z-Y21M01D22T1200Z
COORD...4380 7512 4384 7573 4381 7605 4374 7625 
        4355 7625 4351 7638 4338 7614 4345 7570 4342 7550 
        4360 7513 
TIME Y21M01D22T1200Z-Y21M01D22T1800Z

$$

NYZ003>005-221800-
/O.NEW.KBUF.WW.Y.0005.210122T1800Z-210123T1800Z/
Monroe-Wayne-Northern Cayuga-
Including the cities of Rochester, Newark, and Fair Haven
325 AM EST Fri Jan 22 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
1 PM EST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 
  4 to 8 inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting 
  as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Monroe, Wayne, and Northern Cayuga counties.

* WHEN...From 1 PM this afternoon to 1 PM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If
traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and
visibilities.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

&&

$$

Apffel

Nearby

Lake Effect Snow Warnings in New York, 2021Every lake effect snow warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.