A satellite study of cloud-band frequencies over the Great Lakes

Abstract

Lake-effect cloud bands over each of the North American Great Lakes were studied, using five winters of visible satellite data (1988-93) in order to better document the frequency of mesoscale boundary layer flows that led to their development. Several cloud-band classifications, based on boundary layer circulations identified by past authors, were used. The two most common cloud features over the Great Lakes were widespread lake-effect clouds, usually exhibiting multiple wind-parallel bands, and single or double bands parallel to the long axis of the lakes. Wind-parallel bands of lake-effect clouds have been shown in previous studies to form in the updraft regions of boundary layer roll vortices. Cloud bands parallel to the long axis of each of the Great Lakes have been shown to be organized primarily by land breezes. -from Authors