One of the reasons places like Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and others see a large amount of snow is due to a weather phenomenon called Lake Effect Snow. But what effect does the Great Lakes have on snowfall in the region, and have you ever seen a lake effect snowstorm in action? What Is Lake Effect Snow, & What Causes It? More than 90% of Lake Erie has ice on it, this should do a lot to reduce essentially shut down the lake effect snow machine in Buffalo. Watch A Lake Effect Storm Happen In Downtown BuffaloIt's a very wild experience to be caught in a lake effect snow event.