Ice Caves on Lake Michigan

[LouisXIV]

We have had a very unusual winter here in Northern Michigan. Cold like I have never seen before. A few weeks ago I found out that Lake Michigan has frozen over from about the Traverse City area to the other side of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin. In 71 years on this earth I have never seen this before. They say the Great Lakes are about 85% frozen and Lake Superior more than 90%.

Traverse City is usually one of the warmest places in Michigan in the winter due to the warmer water of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay. Now with both frozen we have the extreme cold weather of the people on the west side of Lake Michigan. We have had a lot of below zero temperatures this winter. Normally we get a lot of snow and we sure have a lot of it this year, before the freeze, we got a lot of snow that we call Lake effect snow. Our winds are from the west and the extreme cold winds coming from Wisconsin go across Lake Michigan with the warm water, pick up moisture and when it gets to Michigan it dumps the snow on us. Well now with Lake Michigan frozen, we don't get as much snow, but we get the really cold temperatures and the winds that blow the snow that we already have into huge drifts in some areas.

As a result this winter we have some exceptional and unusual Ice Caves. Take a look at the following video. The business in the area have found a new source of tourist business. The past three day holiday weekend a few of the restaurants in the Leland, Michigan area ran out of supplies and food because of all the tourists coming to see the Ice Caves. One bar owner in the area said that in 22 in business there it is the first time he has broken even in the month of February. Take a look:



Earlier in January we got Ice Bolders, also something new to us here in Northern Michigan:

[mich64]

Reminds us of the beauty of nature. The first video looks like it was taken in the arctic! Is it just me or does anyone else see a Mount Rushmore type formation? At least the businesses made a profit out of this cold winter. Louis do you think that all of this ice will help the lake levels? I believe they have been at an all time low, so much so that some ships were unable to dock until well into the season at some ports along the Great Lakes due to low depths last summer. Nature has a way of correcting itself.

Here too (Northern Ontario) we have had a very cold winter and the lake in front of me froze completely probably 3 weeks earlier than usual and we have had snow on the ground since November versus last year where the snow finally stayed Christmas Eve. It will be interesting to watch the lake levels this year and we probably will not be able to put our dock in as early as we have been the last few years. With it being so consistently below normal here it is now a concern that we may be in for a period of above normal and that the melt may happen to quickly. I am sure that is a concern in Michigan as well.

Enjoyed the videos!

[Deleted]

I even read about the ice caves and all of the visitors in the French press. The videos make it even more impressive than the still pictures I had seen. As you probably know, we are having one of the warmest but also one of the wettest and stormiest winters in 100 years (and even longer for England).

[LouisXIV]

There has been some discussion on lake levels. I have heard it said that with the ice cover it restricts evaporation. I have no idea how much water that could be, but with the size of Lake Michigan, I would think it would be considerable.

I live in the Grand Traverse Bay area and have seen the lake levels go up and down. I remember homes being taking by the high water in the 80'S and few years ago I feel the lake levels were at a lower level then they currently are.

We typically get around 80 inches of snow in a season, this year I think we are over 110 inches and there is more to come. Other facts about Traverse City here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_City,_Michigan

Over the years I have spent a lot of time in Northern Ontario, north of the Soo and on the Chapleau road. That part of the world has it's own special beauty at the various seasons of the year. If you happen to be there the right time of year and the right year, the fall colors are really something to see. On a cold, clear day in the winter with no wind the silence and beauty can overcome you. Definitely God's country, but when the Black Flies come back in the spring, it's the devils country. The spring and summer also let you enjoy the Ontario, Provencial Bird, the Mosqueto.

[Deleted]

Oh, if you have black flies, you need those Australian hats with all of the corks on strings to keep them away.

www.scientificpsychic.com/alpha/fashion/australian-hat.jpg

[LouisXIV]

LOL! That hat might work in Australia, but not in the Canadian Bush. I have used a net in the past but when they are bad you also need your arms and hands covered. www.simblissity.net/ultralight-mosquito-headnet.htm I have found that by July after some really hot weather, the problem is less. But in the spring when the fishing is the best, it is a living hell.

[LouisXIV]

Said to be a picture from the UP in Michigan

Sorry, can't seem to get the picture to post.

[mich64]

Wow Louis, that is quite a lot of snow! Are you concerned of flooding in your area?

Northern Ontario is quite beautiful but you are correct about the mosquitoes if we can be done with them by the end of July, that is a good year. We have tried so many bug products but I do not like using any of them. This year I am going to try the dryer sheet in your pocket. The black flies in the spring are the worst though.

[LouisXIV]

I am not concerned about flooding where we live, high ground and sand soil for fast drainage. But I bet we are going to hear from the people on the Mississippi this year.

I have heard about the dryer sheets from some friends of mine that own a tourist camp in the Algoma area, but I have not heard if they work. I saw them use safety pins and pin them to their jackets. I have a friend who has a cabin on a remote lake in Ontario and there is a gate on the long drive down to the cabin, there is a sign, "Please close the gate after entering, it keeps the black flies out".

[htmb]

Wow! The ice caves and balls are really fascinating!!!!

I've only seen a little bit of Michigan on a quick visit to Detroit and Lake Orion, but have always believed it to be a beautiful state.

[lugg]

Thank you Louis for your post. Fascinating. Such strange weather everywhere.... but nature has a way of astounding as shown so well by your video links.

I have read about the breakdown of the polar vortex in the press which ( I think) means that, as the Arctic warms, North American parts experience extremes of cold

On another note - I followed your wiki link - Cherries !!! I love them , it seems fitting that your local airport pays homage.

[Deleted]

Here is another report about ice caves of Lake Superior.