Lake Effect Storm Review 1998-99 Season

We name our lake snow events so it is easier to refer back to them for archiving.  This is very unofficial and by law only the National Hurricane Center can officially name storms.  We have posted these unofficial names on the WEB SITE so it is easier for you to follow them.  I am sure you can understand the confusion that would take place if numerous offices officially name lake effect storms.

Last Winter's list was compiled from "heavenly bodies" including stars and constellations, but excludes earthly heavenly bodies!  We also experimented with a neat little feature for snow lovers that describes the storm's impact.  It is termed the "Lake Flake Scale" and subjectively ranks the events from 1-flake for minor (wimpy) events to 5-flakes for epic mega-storms, based not only on snowfall amounts but the impact on population centers as well.

Each storm event includes a brief summary as well as some interesting maps and other graphics.  Let us know what you think, we are open for any suggestions to improve the page.
 

 
Storm Name
Flake Scale
Highlights of the Event
Andromeda  11/21/98 * 1st Event - Lake Ontario 10" max at North Osceola
Betelgeuse 12/17/98 ** Lake Erie 10" - East Rochester 3-6" 
Callisto 12/22/98 - 12/25/98 *** Merry Christmas - 1st BIG Storm,  35" at Montague 
Deimos 12/31/98 - 1/1/99 *** Happy New Year - Classic Event for Buffalo suburbs
Europa 1/3/99 - 1/6/99 **** Buffalo gets pummeled again - City closes 
Fornax  1/6/99 - 1/7/99 ** Lake-enhanced off Erie  Lake-effect off Ontario
Gemini  1/10/99 - 1/11/99 ** Another "hybrid" lake effect Event
Hermes 1/13/99 * Rare northeast wind event - 6" south of Lake Ontario
Io 1/15/99 - 1/16/99 * Fast moving short wave - 11" max east Lake Ontario