Great Salt Lake-Effect Snowstorm Development (IMAGE)

University of Utah

Great Salt Lake-Effect Snowstorm Development

Caption

This map shows how mountains surrounding Utah's Great Salt Lake interact with the lake to cause some "lake-effect" snowstorms. Air masses from the north-northwest are channeled by mountains north of the lake so they converge above the lake. The air picks up heat and moisture from the lake, so it rises, cools and produces snow as it is funneled into the Salt Lake Valley by surrounding mountains.

Credit

Jim Steenburgh, University of Utah

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