The Effect of Large Bodies of Water on Weather and Climate

Large bodies of water like the Great Lakes have a huge influence on weather and climate WHY? Water is a known as a sink Heats up and cools down slower than land In the fall they keep us warm In the spring they keep us cooler

Lake Huron Ice Cover - March 28/15

The Great Lakes effect our weather and climate in FOUR main ways: 1)Temperature 2)Wind 3)Convectional Precipitation 4)Lake Effect Snow

In Spring the Sun warms land faster than water. Warm air rises over land (called thermals) and cool Air sitting over the Lake races in to replace it. This creates cool/cold onshore winds In late summer and fall, the Lake is still warmer compared the surrounding land. Warm air over the lake rises and air from land races in to replace it. This creates offshore wind

On Shore wind can lead to convectional precipitation (Thunderstorms) in the summer Cool moist air is blown off the Lake and onto to land The moist air then warms over land The warm moist air rises, cools and water vapour condenses forming clouds and precipitation Cumulonimbus clouds

Lake Effect Snow can be one of the biggest problems/benefits caused by lakes: In late fall and early winter the Lakes are still warm (compared to the air) Cold fronts crossing the lake pick up moisture easily and it is turned into snow The snow can be very heavy and be concentrated in small area Why is this a problem? What are the benefits of this? Also known as snow squalls or streamers

Average Annual snowfall in S. Ontario Barrie223 cm Hamilton118 cm Huntsville282 cm Toronto121 cm Kingston150 cm Chatham80 cm London194 cm Sarnia112cm Collingwood275 cm Windsor129 cm Wiarton426 cm Tobermory410 cm Orangeville 160 cm Minden248 cm Kincardine390 cm Port Stanley103 cm Strathroy180 cm Guelph165 cm Sudbury 263 cm

Lake Effect Snow is influenced by wind direction. Based on the map, what is the prevailing wind directions for the Great Lakes Region? In order for Sarnia to receive Lake Effect snow, what direction would the wind have to travel?

What would impact the amount of Lake Effect Snow? ICE!!!!!! March 2009March 2014