The one and only notable april LES event (to my knowledge).. Granted it was over several days lol
Duration: 90 hours+/-
Prime Feature: Remarkable long lasting out of season event. Strong
diurnal flavor.
This event capped off a memorable 2006-07 season as one of the most
intense and long lasting cold periods for so late in the season set
off some impressive lake snows east and southeast of the Lakes. It
was the first "named" event in the month of April in the 13 year
history of lake storms. This combined with the massive October storm
to bracket the winter season with the earliest and latest events on
record.
The event began late Wednesday the 4th following a sharp cold front.
A massive upper level low then set up over Quebec and poured near
record cold across the eastern two thirds of the nation for several
days. Most of the Lakes were open again after mild weather in late
March...but eastern Lake Erie still had a good deal of ice cover.
Still...the moist northwest flow brought residual moisture from the
Upper Lakes and impinged on the Chautauqua ridge and dropped up to a
foot of upslope/lake enhanced snow there. Several inches also fell
down into the Jamestown area.
For the next few days...lake snows became more organized during the
late night and early morning periods...breaking up into cellular
activity during the afternoon and early evening hours. The heavier
accumulations were at night. The Thursday night-Friday morning
period brought 6-12" to much of Oswego county and southern Tug Hill
and also another 6 to 12 across Chautauqua county...and a surprise 4
to 7 inches across Niagara County. Then...Friday night-Saturday
morning period saw an intense band across southern Jefferson
county...with somewhat of a repeat along the south shore of the Lake
Saturday night and Sunday morning. During the afternoon and early
evenings...brief heavy snow showers occurred...but accumulated
little. Conditions finally moderated enough to shut down any lake
snows late Sunday as inversion lowered and 850 mb temps rose
slightly.
The totals were impressive...but settled fast due to the
season....so no more than a foot was on the ground at any one time
anywhere. Very little fell in the Buffalo area....and Rochester
caught a bit only Sunday morning.
The event was long lasting and out of season. The totals were
impressive...but fell mainly at night in lightly populated
areas...melting off on roadways during the day. It therefore earns
three *** stars.