Lake effect snow brings icy conditions to Lake Michigan
Weather officials warned motorists of low visibility and slick roads as a cold front and lake-effect snow hit parts of Michigan.
As Michigan was whipped with winter weather and lake-effect snows Wednesday, Paw Paw residents Janice and Eric Pantelleria went outside to find some unusual lawn ornaments: dozens upon dozens of nicely rolled-up snow doughnuts or cylinders across their large lawn.
The snowy rollers are a somewhat unusual weather phenomenon, said Megan Varcie, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake.
“You had this kind of heavy, sticky snow coming off the lake that packed together well, combined with heavy winds — West Michigan had wind gusts upward of 40 mph,” she said. “In those conditions, these cylindrical snow rolls can form, especially in open areas without trees.”
“My husband was outside clearing the driveway when he noticed them,” Janice Pantelleria said. “At first he thought that the kids had rolled a couple snowballs in the yard — but then noticed that they were surrounding our house.”
Pantelleria’s photos of the snow rolls were shared on Facebook, and received plenty of attention.
“I’m glad everyone is enjoying the photos as much as we enjoyed seeing it firsthand,” Janice Pantelleria said.
Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com.
