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Lake Effect Storm Season 2011-2012    

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.

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!

2011-2012 storms

Storm Name Flake Scale

Highlights of the Event
Ayrshire 11/17 - 11/18 ** Very Cellular, Great Dendritic Snow Crystal Growth, Lightning and Thunder.
Max snowfall:  Lake Erie - Perry 7.5",  Lake Ontario - West Fulton 12.5"
Beefalo 12/9 - 12/10 ** Weak event mixed with synoptic snow and some rain near Lake Erie, slow start but eventually well defined band east of Lake Ontario.
Max snowfall:  Lake Erie - N. Tonawanda 5.9",  Lake Ontario - Osceola 17"
Canadienne 12/27 - 12/28 * Marginal lake effect event.
Max snowfall:  Lake Erie - Warsaw 6.5",  Lake Ontario - East Lacona 17"
Dutched Belted 1/2 - 1/3 ** Strong winds during the first half of the event produced significant blowing and drifting snow.
Max snowfall:  Lake Erie - Sherman 17.1",  Lake Ontario - Montague and Osceola 12"
Evolene 1/13 - 1/14 *** Robust lake effect following synoptic snow.
Max snowfall:  Lake Erie - Perrysburg 34",  Lake Ontario - Montague 18"
Fjall 1/30 *** Localized intense, anticyclonic lake snow band.
Max snowfall:  Lake Erie - < 2",  Lake Ontario - Fulton 33"
Guernsey 2/11 - 2/13 ** Significant northwest flow lake effect for metro Rochester.
Max snowfall:  Lake Erie - Warsaw 5",  Lake Ontario - Rochester 12"
Holstein 2/24 - 2/25 ** Upstream Connections on Northwest flow.
Max snowfall:  Lake Erie - Warsaw 17.5",  Lake Ontario - Pittsford 5.2"

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