LAKE EFFECT STORM "DIAMOND"

December 19, 2003

Maximum Snowfall: Lk. Erie: 8" Sinclairville;  Lk. Ontario: 12" Minetto.

The fourth event of the 2003-04 Season was a rather typical northwest flow event, although it focused during two periods, associated with passing trofs, and only the second had impact on Lake Erie snowbelts.

An east-west band of snow developed late in the morning of Friday Dec. 19^th across Oswego county and gradually settled south during the afternoon, dropping several inches. Meanwhile, a trof crossed the region Friday night, bringing a general inch or two to most areas but igniting lake bands off Lake Erie across the western southern tier. Bands also lingered and enhanced near the south shore of Lake Ontario Saturday morning, back to across the Rochester area. Warmer air and increasing shear shut down the activity midday Saturday 20^th.

Snowfall amounts were generally 6 to 12 inches across Oswego county with 3 to 6 inches back west to Monroe county. Off Erie...a few inches fell south of Buffalo, with as much as 6 to 8 inches over higher ground from Stockton to Sinclairville and Perrysburg..our usual snowiest areas.

This event was spread out and had little impact. It therefore earns just ONE * Star.

Off Lake Erie