Erie Drift Plain

The Erie Drift Plain follows the southern shore of Lake Erie from Buffalo through Erie and Cleveland down toward Akron and Youngstown. Glacial drift left rolling ground with clay-heavy soil, and the lake drives both heavy snow in winter and a longer frost-free window right along the shore. Natives such as New York ironweed, pale Indian plantain, and Oswego-tea take that clay and the wet springs that come with it.

Conditions: Clay-rich glacial drift over rolling ground, 34–42 inches of precipitation with lake-effect snow, wet springs, moderate summers.

Cities and areas: Buffalo, Cleveland, Erie, Akron, Youngstown, Niagara Falls.