Lake effect rain forecast

We are all very aware of lake effect snow, but in the summer and fall we can see lake effect rain affect Michiana. First, let’s break down the lake effect precipitation, which happens when cold air moves over a warmer lake, the moisture of the lake gets released into the air and moves upward, creating clouds that will bring precipitation to the area on the windward side of the lake. Lake effect rain isn’t too common, usually you don't have an air mass cool enough passing over the lake, but with the lake still fairly warm and highs in the 50s expected we’re at good temperatures. Depending on where the wind is blowing from is where the precip is going to fall. If wind is coming from the north, it will affect our western counties. From the northwest, more central counties. From the west, our northern counties.

Through Tuesday we’re expecting winds to be coming predominantly from the North, making more of our western counties, LaPorte, Starke, Pulaski, to likely see more of the rain fall. But something interesting about this system in particular is that the low-pressure system is predicted to be set up so that there is a gentle curve in the wind direction over the entire lake. We can see on the model, especially as we get closer to Tuesday that the rain that we will be seeing could be coming from the northern parts of Lake Michigan. Again, if there is any change in the wind direction it’s likely going to be coming from the northwest so more of the central counties of Michiana could see the rain. If you are west of US 31, you will likely see some lake effect rain before Tuesday ends.