Lake effect snow is produced by long stretches of wind that blows into warmer lake water and gathers water vapor. The water vapor turns into clouds but the clouds can't hold all the water so at that point lake effect snow occurs. In most cases the storm doesn't last long but has very strong, and heavy snowfall during its existence. Lake effect snow has some effects on New York State(mostly Buffalo, N.Y.) 
(Average lake effect snowfall in New York State from 1971-2000)
www.123syracuse.com/Syracuseweather.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/l/lake_effect_snow.htm
http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_causes_lake_effect_snow.htm
