Northern Michigan Recreation Weather

The weather is still going to be below normal through the weekend as far as the temperatures are concerned. Which means the temperatures will be in the middle to upper 30s for the highs, and in the teens for the lows. This allows for two things to happen. One, a slow melt for the snow on the ground during the day, and two no melting at night. This allows for little change in the snow depth through most of the region. The last several years, we have had a big warm up that melts things in a rush, but this year looks like a slow melt.

Which means, if you snowmobile, just from what I have seen near Boyne Falls, Alba, and Gaylord, the trails still have snow, with very few, isolated bare patches. In the woods, the snow tends to be a little deeper as well than what is seen at the NWS Observing spots (COOP observers). This slows down what is known as mud season here in the north woods.

If you are a Cross country skier, the snow outlook for the snowmobilers applies to you.

If you are a down hill skier, I hear that Boyne Mountain (and probably highlands) will be open until the end of March, but most of the smaller resorts will be closing this weekend, if not already closed.

As always, the 8-14 day outlook is for below normal temperatures and about normal precipitation. I’m beginning to sound like a broken record.

For the winter season, things are winding down. I’ll be getting ready to shift to the summer outdoors outlooks over the next month or so.

Well, this weekend is unremarkable as far as the weather. No strong systems are expected, and the temperatures are eeking up as the March sunshine keeps growing stronger. The ice on the lakes is beginning to show weakness and I have seen the ice fishers pulling their ice shanties home for the season. Snow amounts for the weekend will be pretty small with little in the way of snow or rain expected.

For the outdoors people, the ski resorts groom, but don’t make any snow, and the snow in the woods is deeper than anywhere else. This means the snowmobilers and cross country skiers will have good hard snow to play on. Downhill is a little more problematic with icier conditions on the hills.

So mud season is coming. On the east side of the state, the snow depths are falling to around 3 inches in the with the west side minimum around 6 inches. For those of you hoping that the snow will continue to stay around, I’m afraid that you are out of luck. My guess is that northern lower Michigan will be down to just snow piles by the 1st of April and that is no fooling. Looking at the 8-14 day outlook, the temperatures are below normal and the precipitation is above normal. However, don’t get your hopes up for a late season snow storm, yet. The normal high temperatures for Gaylord at the end of March is the mid 40s. A late season snow is becoming less likely and my guess for the high temperatures during March 21 to March 27 is in the upper 30s.

Spring is on its way.

The good news is that for snow- mobiling it will remain cold enough for the snow to stay a while and we will add a very light amount on top of the hard pack.

It’s mixed for the skiers. Downhill people, if the resort is still making snow to extend the season, then there may be some man made snow on the slopes, but I know that one of the Gaylord resorts is only open during the weekends. Otherwise, it will be pretty icy on the slopes.

Cross country people, since this has been a pretty good snow year, the snow will stay in the wood for a while. The cold air will make it icy with fast tracks to glide upon. It’s especially good where the tracks are set by machine.

Ice fishers, there are some reports that the DNR is saying that the ice is unsafe on some of the lakes to beware.

Looking at the climate data, the normal high temperature for this time of year in Gaylord, is around 36 degrees. The pattern looks like it will be below normal for most of the time and maybe normal by next Wednesday. This looks good if you want the snow to stay around for a while. However, it is becoming more likely that the snow will begin to melt over the next couple of weeks. However, it looks more like that it will be gradual, rather than an intense warm up that melts everything. Especially, if you look at the latest 8-14 day outlook.

For those of you hoping to hit the hiking trails in the late winter early spring, this will lead to a prolonged mud season. However, if you enjoy walking on the top of the snow, the next couple of weeks will be fine.