Lake Effect Storm Season 2002-2003    

We name our lake snow events so it is easier to refer back to them for archiving.  This is very unofficial and only past storms are named as a matter of policy.  We will post the archived events on this WEB SITE so it is easier for you to refer back to them throughout the snow season.

The theme for this year's storm names will be Famous Scientists as selected by the staff at NWS Buffalo.  We also will continue our tradition of a candid way to rate the storm's impact on the area.  It is termed the "Lake Flake Scale" and subjectively ranks the events from 1-flake (*) for minor (wimpy) events to 5-flakes (*****) for epic mega-storms, based not only on snowfall amounts but the impact on population centers as well.

For each event we try to provide a snowfall map, storm summary and if available, radar, satellite and other neat images.  Let us know what you think, we are open for any suggestions to improve the page.  


To review each storm, just click on the names below and you'll get to some great data!

For a quick look at Snowfall Maps for the season, Click here.

2002-2003 storms

Storm Name Flake Scale

Highlights of the Event
Archimedes
11/01 - 11/02		 * Early Season Event.  Frontal interaction and pre-frontal enhancement.
Max snowfall:  Lk. Erie - Warsaw 8".  Lk Ontario - North Osceola 19".
Bjerknes
11/28 - 11/29		 ** Thanksgiving Day snow. Typical event ended quickly with warm air advection.
Max snowfall: Lk Erie - Dunkirk 9". Lk Ontario - North Osceola 20".
Copernicus
12/01 - 12/02		 **** Heavy snowfall in populated areas.  Affected end of Buffalo Bills Home Game.
Max snowfall: Lk. Erie - Ashville 26". Lk Ontario - Watertown 12".
Darwin
12/04		 * Marginal event, south shore of Lake Ontario.  "Tea Kettle" snow.
Max snowfall" Lk Erie - Perrsyburg 4". Lk Ontario - Sodus Bay 8".
Einstein
12/06		 * Only a few hours of heavy snow, but snowfall rates were high.
Max snowfall: Lk. Erie - Perrysburg 5". Lk Ontario - Sandy Creek 12".
Fermi
12/21		 ** Very marginal Temps. Deep inland penetration.
Max snowfall: Lk Erie - Bennington 10". Lk Ontario - Hooker 6".
Galileo
12/23		 ** Strong winds caused driving problems. Lightning/thunder east of Lake Ontario.
Max snowfall: Lk. Erie - Wales 7". Lk Ontario - Castorland 24".
Hubble
01/10 - 01/12		 **** Classic storm, tremendous snowfalls, rates of 4 to 5 inches per hour.
Max snowfall: Lk. Erie - Perrysburg 24". Lk Ontario - N. Osceola 51".
Imes
01/13 - 01/14		 * Very marginal case. Extension of Lake Huron band.
Max snowfall: Lk. Erie - Non - event. Lk Ontario - Macedon 10".
Julian
01/14 - 01/15		 **** Tremendous snowfall rates, over 2 feet in less than 9 hours in Oswego.
Max snowfall: Lk. Erie - Sinclairville 14". Lk Ontario - W. Leyden 40".
Kepler
01/20 - 01/21		 ** Frigid northwest flow, there is no radar or satellite for this event.
Max snowfall: Lk Erie - Perrysburg 6". Lk Ontario - Ontario 12".
Lorenz
02/04 - 02/06		 ** Well aligned west flow, thunder and lightning early on.
Max snowfall: Lk Erie - Perrysburg 5".  Lk Ontario - Scriba 15".
Maxwell
02/09		 ** Enhanced by cold front.  Lake Erie snow mainly orographic.
Max snowfall: Lk. Erie - Perrysburg 7".  Lk. Ontario -Watertown 11". 
Newton
02/12 - 0214		 ***** Classic long-lived Event. Tremendous snowfall in populated area.
Max snowfall: Lk. Erie - Perrysburg 12". Lk. Ontario - Hannibal 50".

 


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