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
Southeast Wisconsin is expecting lake effect snow in the next few days as the low temperatures and wind chills continue.
—
Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Part of it is the legendary lake effect, which has been known to dump feet of snow throughout the forests and towns of Erie County and Western New York in just a few hours.
—Brian Higgins, Outside, 28 Jan. 2026
The key difference with the lake effect is the trigger.
—Vytas Reid, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Sunday could also bring some lake effect snow.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lake effect
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Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Part of it is the legendary lake effect, which has been known to dump feet of snow throughout the forests and towns of Erie County and Western New York in just a few hours.
—Brian Higgins, Outside, 28 Jan. 2026
The key difference with the lake effect is the trigger.
—Vytas Reid, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Sunday could also bring some lake effect snow.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lake effect
Cite this Entry
“Lake effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lake%20effect. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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