National Weather ServiceLake Effect Snow WarningVTEC LE.WArchive to October 1, 2026
Lake Effect Snow Warning: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 47 lake effect snow warnings in 2025 and 42 a year on average in 2008-2025; New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 9, 60% below the average of 23 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a lake effect snow warning?
A lake effect snow warning means heavy snow in narrow bands downwind of the Great Lakes is expected, with rates and totals set by each office. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many lake effect snow warnings a year?
National count: each lake effect snow warning counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 9 |
| 2025 | 47 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2016 | 60 |
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2013 | 97 |
| 2012 | 31 |
| 2011 | 51 |
| 2010 | 55 |
| 2009 | 63 |
| 2008 | 104 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Which states get the most lake effect snow warnings?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A lake effect snow warning covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 17 | 19 | 29 |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | 8 | 17 |
| Ohio | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Michigan | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Indiana | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Utah | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nevada | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Lake Effect Snow Warning or lake effect snow watch?
A lake effect snow watch (for a wide area, hours or days ahead) means the conditions are possible: be ready; a lake effect snow warning (from the local NWS office, for the area at risk) means the hazard is happening or imminent: act now. A lake effect snow watch meant heavy lake effect snow was possible. Since October 2017 the NWS covers it with the winter storm watch. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The NWS issued 0 lake effect snow watches in 2025, against 47 lake effect snow warnings. The lake effect snow watch record.