Lake Effect: Tales of Large Lakes, Arctic Winds, and Recurrent Snows

by Mark Monmonier

Blending meteorological history with the history of scientific cartography, Monmonier charts the phenomenon of lake-effect snow and explores the societal impacts of extreme weather. Along the way, he introduces readers to natural philosophers who gradually identified this distinctive weather pattern, to tales of communities adapting to notoriously disruptive storms, and to some of the snowiest regions of the country.

Characterized by intense snowfalls lasting from a couple of minutes to several days, lake-effect snow is deposited by narrow bands of clouds formed when cold, dry arctic air passes over a large, relatively warm inland lake. With perhaps only half the water content of regular snow, lake snow is typically light, fluffy, and relatively easy to shovel. Intriguing stories of lake effect’s quirky behavior and diverse impacts include widespread ignorance of the phenomenon in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Since then a network of systematic observers have collected several decades of data worth mapping, and reliable shortterm predictions based on satellites, Doppler radar, and computer models are now available.

Moving effortlessly from atmospheric science to anecdotes, Monmonier offers a richly detailed account of a type of weather that has long been misunderstood. Residents of lake-effect regions, history buffs, and weather junkies alike will relish this entertaining and informative book.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Geography

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Mark Stephen Monmonier is an American author and a Distinguished Professor of Geography at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.

He specializes in toponymy, geography, and geographic information systems. His popular written works show a combination of serious study and a sense of humor. His most famous work is How To Lie With Maps (1991), in which he challenges the common belief that maps inherently show an unbiased truth.

Reviews

[Rab9975 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up with the Great Lakes so much a presence in Western New York I was excited to read this book. I will state up front that I am a fan of Professor Monmonier having read "How to Lie with Maps" at least 10 times (used to use it to teach a class).

I was not disappointed by this book. Our relationship with weather and understanding weather patterns is really what this book is about. Lake effect snow is just a term that is used to describe a weather event; but use that term in Western New York or other states that border the Great Lakes and the words have a different connotation. This book evoked many memories for me. I recalled clearing the 'Lake Effect' snow from the driveway with my dad in Sodus, NY when the Lake Ontario 'Snow Shadow' would dip south and bury us, providing me with an winter playland complete with waist-high drifts and snow-fort architecture opportunities.

Beyond the nostalgia, Professor Monmonier has provided an excellent geographic history of the events known as 'Lake Effect'. The phenomenon was analyzed through the lenses of personal experiences, regional history as well as the history of data collection and forecasting. This book is for anyone that has an interest in weather and forecasting and seeks to understand the larger role it plays and has played in our lives.

[Pearse Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good information presented in a not super readable way for everyday audiences who aren't into mapping, meteorology, and the history of both. The book sold itself as more of a cultural read and ended up swinging too STEM-y for me. I jumped all around it, skipping sections that I felt I wasn't going to grab anything from.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK this is a very academic treatment om the subject of snow belts, mostly around the Great Lakes. Actually, I doubt many who don't live in the region even know what this is. For a junkie like me it was a good read. I expect the audience is extremely small though.

[Richard Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 4 stars for residents of central/western New York, or northern Michigan, for all the local references. (Just the Syracuse entry in the index made me happy). Or for weather junkies. Might not be of much interest to other people. Not all that compellingly written.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that teaches you about weather and how the lake effect works. I was amazed how it worked and I learned a lot as I live in Utah and we experience this phenomena.