File:Lake Huron and Lake Erie (MODIS 2019-04-03).jpg

English: An early spring snowstorm dumped snow across part of the Great Lakes on April 1, 2019. According to local news reports, parts of the state of New York received up to 11.4 in (29 cm) of lake-effect snow from the system. Given that temperatures in New York and Ohio were expected to reach the mid-50s over the next several days, the icy white landscape won’t last long.

NASA’s Terra satellite flew over Lake Huron and Lake Erie on April 1, allowing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board to acquire a true-color image of freshly fallen snow. Canada, in the north, is blanketed in white while in the United States the precipitation has covered much of New York, Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio on Lake Erie. Michigan, along Lake Huron, is also snow-covered.

Also notable are the greens and tans swirling in southern Lake Huron and much of Lake Erie. Some of this color is likely sediment run-off from melting spring snow, especially where it appears tan at the shoreline and lightens to green as it flows into the lake. Some of the green coloration may also be evidence of early growth of algae, which has troubled Lake Erie, especially the west end of the lake, in recent years. The worst blooms tend to occur in years with heavy spring rains and excess winter snow and ice runoff. Runoff from lakes and streams in this area can bring heavy loads of phosphorous, nitrogen, and other agricultural fertilizers in to the lake. The nutrients from farms and from septic systems can promote excessive blooms that can harm water quality, as well as spurring algal growth.