Northern Michigan Recreation Weather

One of the things I have noticed, as I write this on Wednesday afternoon, is that the ice in northern Lake Michigan is beginning to affect the production of snow. A month ago, a similar situation would allow more clouds and snow to be affecting Traverse City. However, today, the snow is being limited. You can see on this satellite loop from today, where the snow is and the fact that there is little in the way of clouds and snow in Traverse City. If you look to the west on the satellite where the water is open the snow bands have formed an stretch the length of the lake.

This will continue until the winds become more westerly. That’s when the weather looks like it will help the snowmobilers again this weekend as the more lake effect snow is expected. First the snow will start back on the western side of the state, near Traverse city as the winds come out of the north as the surface low moves to the east of Michigan. Then over the weekend, the winds will slowly shift to the northwest. This will bring about lake effect snow in the favored northwest flow areas.

Downhill skiing looks good as far as conditions are concerned. Boyne Mountain was making snow last night as I came home from work last night, so take a look at the links to the right to see the how things are.

I have only found links to the commericial XC-ski areas on the same link as the downhill link. I haven’t been able to find any links to the conditions on the state trails.

The snowmobile trail links are to the right. I have seen only one trail so far and that is the one that goes along Old 27 along Lake Otsego. It looks pretty ripped up, so some new snow will help. However, look at the conditions to the right to know how they are.

My attempt at a disclaimer: Always check on the weather forecast. The weather business is imprecise. If a big storm is coming, a difference in 50 miles of the storm track can mean feast or famine with snow fall or rain or whatever else the storm has. If you are concerned with driving north, always check with the NWS Websites on the right to see what the updated weather will be and check the Michigan State Police for Road conditions. All I am doing is translating the weather forecast into something that is a little more useful for those that want a digest of whether they might have a chance to do things outdoors. I also don’t endorse any particular place or thing. Any ads you see at the right are placed there by Google randomly.