Snow and Avalanche Glossary

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Convection

Also:

Convection results when air is heated near the earths surface and therefore rises. The vertical windspeeds are greater than those involved in any other type of air mass lifting. It is a localized effect and is not commonly an important factor in winter mountain weather.

One source of heating near the surface is air above warm open water. Cold air warming over warm ocean water can cause convection which effects maritime ranges such as the Cascades. Air crossing the great lakes can result in convection which causes the large but locallized "Lake Effect" snowfalls in areas such as Buffalo NY.

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