Mild winter temperatures combined with a prolonged northwest wind can lead to lake-effect patterns that frequently dump more than a foot of snow on the area in a day. In fact, Erie currently leads the nation’s large cities in snowfall for 2020-21.
On the other hand, any prolonged cold period with temperatures in the 20s during the day and teens during the night will generate thick, clear ice cover on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay.
“Once those areas are safe enough, you’ll see ice shacks scattered all over the area,” said Brian Gula, an environmental education specialist at Presque Isle State Park.