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Rating: 
Summary: Well-written description of weather around the Lakes
Review: Wow, I was actually surprised to stumble across this title here on this site! I used this volume extensively while completing an undergraduate research project on lake-effect snows downwind of Lake Michigan. As a meteorology major, I skimmed over the introductory chapters regarding general circulation, although, upon re-examination, the author has made the effort to describe larger-scale weather patterns in terms relative to the Great Lakes. My focus on the book was of course, snowfall climatology, so I would like to see an updated climatology incorporating data from the twenty years since the book's original publishing date. Furthermore, there has been more research and newer developments in the science (e.g. NEXRAD (Doppler Radar), El Nino/La Nina effects, global climate change) since 1979 that would add value to a newer edition. Nevertheless, the book discusses effects of the Lakes on more phenomena than just snowfall - fog, clouds, thunderstorms, clear skies, pollution. Descriptions of the mechanisms for Lake-influenced weather have really not changed since the book was published; I would, however, consult a more recent source if you are interested in current climatological numbers. For those that find storms and shipwrecks interesting, there is indeed a chapter regarding significant Great Lakes storms, but it should be noted that this is clearly not the prime focus of the book. If you live near the Great Lakes and wish to know some of the "why" and "how" behind your weather and the Lakes' influences, this book is well-written for a broad spectrum of readers; there is sufficient and clear background information for non-scientists as well as scientific detail for meteorologists.
Rating:
Summary: Well-written description of weather around the Lakes
Review: Wow, I was actually surprised to stumble across this title here on this site! I used this volume extensively while completing an undergraduate research project on lake-effect snows downwind of Lake Michigan. As a meteorology major, I skimmed over the introductory chapters regarding general circulation, although, upon re-examination, the author has made the effort to describe larger-scale weather patterns in terms relative to the Great Lakes. My focus on the book was of course, snowfall climatology, so I would like to see an updated climatology incorporating data from the twenty years since the book's original publishing date. Furthermore, there has been more research and newer developments in the science (e.g. NEXRAD (Doppler Radar), El Nino/La Nina effects, global climate change) since 1979 that would add value to a newer edition. Nevertheless, the book discusses effects of the Lakes on more phenomena than just snowfall - fog, clouds, thunderstorms, clear skies, pollution. Descriptions of the mechanisms for Lake-influenced weather have really not changed since the book was published; I would, however, consult a more recent source if you are interested in current climatological numbers. For those that find storms and shipwrecks interesting, there is indeed a chapter regarding significant Great Lakes storms, but it should be noted that this is clearly not the prime focus of the book. If you live near the Great Lakes and wish to know some of the "why" and "how" behind your weather and the Lakes' influences, this book is well-written for a broad spectrum of readers; there is sufficient and clear background information for non-scientists as well as scientific detail for meteorologists.
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