MTTC 103 Elementary Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide for Comprehensive Exam Success

The primary factor that influences snow formation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is moisture from the Great Lakes. The region experiences significant lake-effect snow, a phenomenon primarily driven by the interaction between cold air masses moving over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes. As cold air travels over the relatively warmer water, it picks up moisture, which can lead to heavy snowfall once it reaches the colder land areas.

While cold air masses from the north contribute to the overall cold temperatures necessary for snow formation, it’s the moisture provided by the lakes that significantly enhances the amount of snowfall, making it a crucial factor in snow generation. Other factors like jet streams can also contribute to weather patterns, but they are not as directly relevant to the localized phenomenon of lake-effect snow, which is predominant in this region. Thus, recognizing the role of the Great Lakes in supplying moisture is key to understanding snow formation in this specific area.