How do I simulate a lake-effect snow?

Open this page and use the live Rossby Waves tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a lake-effect snow from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Rossby Waves

Rossby Waves for a lake-effect snow

Simulate a lake-effect snow live in your browser. This runs the real Rossby Waves solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Rossby WavesLive

the meandering jet stream

Controls

Speed1×

Presets

Wave number

Amplitude

The jet stream does not flow straight — it meanders in giant planetary Rossby waves, driven by the Earth's rotation varying with latitude. These waves carry weather systems around the globe and, when they grow large and stall, lock in heat waves, cold snaps, and floods. A few long waves circle the whole hemisphere.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Wave number4

Wavelength10000 km

Driftwestward vs flow

Governing equation

ω = - \frac{β k}{k ^{2} + l ^{2}}, c = - \frac{β}{k ^{2}} (k = 4)

Reading this result: A few long Rossby waves with this 10000 km wavelength drift westward relative to the jet and steer the mid-latitude storm track.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Rossby Waves tool models a lake-effect snow with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Rossby Waves

Rossby Waves for a thunderstorm Rossby Waves for a hurricane track Rossby Waves for a tornado Rossby Waves for a heat wave Rossby Waves for a cold front Rossby Waves for a sea breeze Rossby Waves for a flash flood Rossby Waves for a snowstorm

Other ways to simulate a lake-effect snow

Atmospheric Stability for a lake-effect snow Coriolis Effect for a lake-effect snow Hurricane Model for a lake-effect snow Wind Chill & Heat Index for a lake-effect snow Psychrometrics for a lake-effect snow Geostrophic Wind for a lake-effect snow

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a lake-effect snow?: Open this page and use the live Rossby Waves tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a lake-effect snow from your own measurements.