It is common menace from November to February each year. Effects on aircraft operations 1.
Snow flakes reduce visibility much more effectively than rain drops.
Hence, snow can lower meteorological conditions into the IFR range very readily. Although lake effect snow is convective in nature, it nevertheless has the potential of lowering conditions into IFR range continuously for many hours without let up, hindering normal aircraft operations. The lakes provide ample moisture, and instability exists. Heavy mixed icing below 3000 feet is common, which can greatly hinder aircraft operations, especially on descent. In extreme cases, snow accumulation can out-pace clearing efforts, forcing runaway airport closures.