You've probably heard of lake-effect snow, but can you define it? We looked to the National Weather Service for answers.

Lake-effect snow can fall at unthinkable rates, in part because it has a low water content, making it light and fluffy.

The snowbelt will get a much-needed break from the heavy lake effect snow Saturday night. Unofficial snowfall reports show parts of Ashtabula have already seen over 3 feet of snow.

Lake-effect snow forms when a cold air mass passes over a relatively warm lake. Lake-enhanced snow occurs when a weather system interacts with the lake's moisture.

The heavy lake effect snow prompted the Buffalo Bills to ask fans for help clearing snow out of Highmark Stadium ahead of the team's game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.

The Great Lakes contribute to Michigan snowfall each season through the "lake effect." Here's how the process makes snow pile up.

With more lake-effect snow on the way, the National Weather Service explains what lake-effect means in Erie.

Lake effect snow is expected to accumulate up to 3 feet in some areas of New York today, with travelers being warned not to drive. More ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS / NWS What is lake effect snow?

A brutally cold air mass from Siberia meets the record-warm Great Lakes. That’s a recipe for meteorological fireworks. A lake-effect snow event, which started in the upper Great Lakes early ...

A lake effect snow warning has been extended through Tuesday. It’s for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties.

Lake-effect snow typically happens in the late fall and early winter when the lakes are ice-free and the water is still relatively warm.

The difference? The Lake effect warning is longer lasting, and will have higher snow totals. The snowbelt will get a much-needed break from the heavy lake effect snow Saturday night.