Lake Effect Snow Warning map: active lake effect snow warnings now
There are no lake effect snow warnings in effect right now. The most recent one in the NWS archive was issued on March 17, 2026 in New York.
Intense lake-effect snow bands will produce heavy snow and very poor visibility near the Great Lakes.
Updated from the National Weather Service · lists refresh hourly; the live map loads current alerts directly from the NWS
Active lake effect snow warnings
None right now. This page updates automatically when the National Weather Service issues a new lake effect snow warning.
What is a lake effect snow warning?
Lake-effect snow forms when cold air crosses the relatively warm Great Lakes and picks up moisture. The resulting bands are narrow but can drop two to three inches of snow an hour, so one town can be buried while another a few miles away sees sun.
What to do
- Check conditions along your whole route; they change quickly over short distances.
- Avoid travel through active snow bands.
How often lake effect snow warnings are issued
From 2016 through 2025 the National Weather Service issued an average of 26 lake effect snow warnings per year across the country, and 9 so far in 2026. Each count is one alert event, which can cover one or many counties.