Does Snow Cover Dictate The Track of a Winter Storm?

Question

I thought I would ask this question because I'm interested in the answer I'll get :-)

Answer 1

Not really, though a large snow covered area could have a minor effect.  Winter storm tracks are normally defined by where the best atmospheric pressure falls occur ahead of the low pressure center.  These pressure falls in turn are the result of factors such as the movement of warmer air (warm air advection) and effects by landforms, to name a couple.  Cold air residing over a broad area of snowcover may affect some of this advection, but would not make a major track change.

Answer 2

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