Heat Island effect on snowfall

[dpd43]

John, does the "heat island" effect of larger cities alter the snowfall amounts downwind? Seems like the area I live in is always shorted when compared to the northern or southern counties in this area. I am about 50 miles northeast of Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN. Thanks, Dave

 

[admin]

There is a remote possibility that the urban heat island effect could cause a reduction in snowfall, but it would only be for areas directly in the heat island area and only in cases where the region is right on the fence between snow and rain. In about 95% or more of the cases, the effect would not cause less snow to fall and an area being 50 miles away would not be impacted at all. Just the luck of the draw.

-John