Reasons for different snowfall amounts

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Once again in western New York, the Lake Effect Snow machine started to churn this weekend.

The amounts of snowfall in different locations varied over the past few days and have gotten some people talking.

From Colden to Orchard Park, there were different weather conditions that struck the areas whether it was sun, flurries, or nothing at all.

Why was there such a difference this weekend where one area received a good amount of snowfall and others close in proximity didn’t get very much at all?

One answer is the wind direction. The winds started out in the west northwest direction causing the southern areas to get hit.

The west and northwest of the city of Buffalo and the South towns, there is mainly land or only a small portion of water therefore they didn’t get hit as hard.

Orchard Park saw some snow once the winds were west, southwest. As they continued to turn southwest it was the North towns that got the brunt of the snow including the city.

The other reason we are seeing a good amount of Lake Effect Snow, are the temperatures. The lake is 33 degrees with the temperatures being in the teens.

The cold air moves over the warm lake, picks up all of the moisture, and ends up dropping it over land in the form of snow.

Terrain also impacts it too. As the air is forced up over higher terrain, additional snow gets squeezed out.

Next time you look out your window and wonder why you’re getting pounded with snow, and the city of Buffalo or the next town over isn’t, remember it’s based on wind and temperatures as well as terrain.