lake effect

noun

: a meteorological phenomenon in which warm moist air rising from a body of water mixes with cold dry air overhead resulting in precipitation especially downwind

—usually hyphenated when used attributively

lake-effect snows

Examples of lake effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the weekend's lake effect snow was tapering off in Buffalo, New York, the weather service there said the storm wreaking havoc in places like Missouri and Kansas was passing to the south and could help spin up more lake effect snow Monday. —NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025

Lake Effect Snow Advisory are issued for widespread or localized lake effect snowfall accumulation (and blowing snow) remaining below warning criteria. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

What To Know The NWS said the lake effect snow remains in effect until 4 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, light to moderate lake effect snow will move north Wednesday evening. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lake effect

• aftereffect
• interconnect
• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct