Recent severe weather warnings for Western New York have included heavy storms and even the possibility of a tornado. While tornadoes are rare, last year the state saw a record number of over 30 tornadoes, the most since records began. Tornadoes can form over the Great Lakes in spring when cold air from the north clashes with humid air from the south, creating the perfect conditions for storms to develop. While the concept of lake effect snow is familiar to anyone living in the region, the Great Lakes also have a strong influence over other aspects of seasonal weather including temperature, rainfall as well as the likelihood of tornadoes. Weather patterns are particularly affected by the region’s proximity to the Great Lakes in spring when lake breezes keep temperatures lower. While it is important for agencies and local residents to know how to respond effectively to severe weather events, the spring also brings sunnier and warmer days perfect for spring cleaning and growing early crops in the region.
Volunteers Spring Clean as the Days grow Longer and Sunnier
Lake Erie remains chilly through May as thin floating ice sheets remain until mid-April, however the cooler waters stabilize surrounding land temperatures. While the moderate temperatures can lead to some lake-effect cloudiness leftover from the winter season, the city of Buffalo and other areas near the lake shore tend to experience more sunshine in the spring. The days grow warmer and sunnier and these favorable environmental conditions for spring cleaning prompt residents to refresh their homes and tidy up the local surroundings after the harsher winter months. This can involve anything from removing the dirt built up on windows after heavy rain and snow to joining one of a number of larger cleanup events hosted by multiple organizations in the region. These include the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s Spring Sweep, part of the Annual Great Lakes CleanUP and one of the largest events in Western New York. During April, Volunteers remove litter from the shorelines and in doing so help to protect the lakes and sustain the valuable symbiotic relationship with the influential waterways.
Farmers Adapt to Late Spring Frosts and Warmer Temperatures
The Great Lakes also have a significant impact on temperatures in Western New York, particularly in the areas closest to the lakes. In the late spring, Lake Erie becomes a heat sink and while the cool air emanating from the lake can delay the growing season, it also reduces the risk of late spring frosts that can damage crops. The last frosts occur earlier in areas closer to the lake and the warmer spring temperatures are a signal to fruit crops to start growing. Unfortunately as the climate warms overall, buds are breaking earlier and are then damaged by late spring frosts. Grape growers suffered significant losses after unseasonably high temperatures caused an early bud break in March 2012, followed by a series of damaging frost events. As a result, farmers are changing their practices and planting new varieties of grapes that are better suited to warmer temperatures and greater extremes of weather.
State Agencies Prepare for Severe Weather and Tornadoes
The New York State Governor has recently directed state agencies to prepare for imminent severe weather and the approaching storm season. State resources, equipment and vehicles will be on standby to deal with any potential wind or flood related issues as western parts of the state could see heavy rainfall, large hailstones and winds of up to 60 mph. The possibility of an isolated tornado has not been ruled out. Tornadoes are not a common occurrence in the region and while water spouts are regularly formed on the Great Lakes , they usually dissipate once they reach land. However, tornadoes can be spawned from thunderstorms in the spring as they rotate across the lakes causing strong updrafts. As the updrafts shrink they begin to spin more rapidly, creating the familiar vortex of a tornado.
The Great Lakes have considerable influence over the weather conditions experienced in spring throughout the region. While government agencies remain on alert for potential storms, residents, voluntary organizations and farmers take advantage of the warmer weather to spring clean and nurture early crops.
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