National Weather ServiceLake Effect Snow WatchVTEC LE.AArchive to October 1, 2026
Lake Effect Snow Watch: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 332 lake effect snow watches from 2008 to 2017, 33 a year on average, and has not issued the product since 2017; New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania had the most.
What is a lake effect snow watch?
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.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many lake effect snow watches a year?
National count: each lake effect snow watch counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2016 | 46 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2014 | 36 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2011 | 33 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2009 | 27 |
| 2008 | 52 |
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 watches?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A lake effect snow watch covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Michigan | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Pennsylvania | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Ohio | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Indiana | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Utah | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnesota | 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 Watch or lake effect snow warning?
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 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. The NWS issued 47 lake effect snow warnings in 2025, against 0 lake effect snow watches. The lake effect snow warning record.