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BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Gov. Rick Snyder has declared a state of disaster across much of Michigan due to storm- and flood-related damage. The proclamation makes state resources available to help the weather-stricken areas.
Snyder had to wait for flood waters to recede so local officials a chance could do preliminary damage assessments. The disaster proclamation covers the cities of Grand Rapids and Ionia in west Michigan, and 19 counties in the western Upper Peninsula, northern lower Michigan and southwest Michigan.
The damage was caused by storms and floods that lasted through most of April and into early May. The next step is for teams to visit the flood-stricken areas to conduct more detailed reviews, including discussions with renters, homeowners, and business owners who suffered damage. The governor has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be part of those tours.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
It's the first day of spring but the Upper Peninsula isn't feeling the warmth. Lake Superior State University had to postpone its annual snowman burn due to the weather.
This German tradition burns a large paper snowman as a way of welcoming the spring equinox.
Tom Pink, with LSSU, said this is one of the first times the weather hasn't cooperated.
"The weather was supposed to be pretty bad today and it has been, we've been getting lake effect snow all day. This is one of the few times we've had to postpone since we started in 1971." Pink said.
Pink said the festivity will be held this Friday.
He said expects as many as 300 people to attend.
BY AMANDA HARRISON Michigan's water levels have seen significant ups and downs but this past year the Great Lakes water levels reached an all time low.
Scientists are contributing that low to 2012 being the hottest year on record.
Amanda Harrison reports on the affects the water levels and the temperatures will have on our state moving into 2013.
An abnormal year for weather has caused strain on Michigan's ecology.
Roger Eberhart is with Michigan's Office of the Great Lakes. He said one of the greatest impacts of a warm year, leading in part to the drop in the water levels, will be on the shipping industry. "We'll certainly see greatly increased need for coastal infrastructure, more increased need for dredging marinas and harbors, we're certainly seeing an effect on commercial navigation for lower lake levels, causing the shipping lanes to be shallower, so ships can't load as much cargo." Eberhart said.
Eberhart said Michigan's Great Lakes waters have been historically cyclical; meaning eventually the water levels should rebound.
But in the meantime many Northern Michigan communities have already began the dredging process.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
It's the right time of year for ice sports but the weather hasn't been as cooperative.
Dean Molnar is the assistant chief of the DNR law enforcement division. He said there hasn't been any ice related fatalities yet this year but is urging caution due to unstable ice conditions.
He said in the event someone falls through the ice to remain calm and call 911.
"You want to be very cautious that if somebody goes through the ice you don't run right up there and try to pull them out because that ice around them is in a weakened condition and we need to get that person on the ice and pull them out and then roll away from the opening of the ice, the best way is to keep your weight distributed, down as flat as you can." Molnar said.
If you're on the ice alone, Molnar recommends bringing an ice pick and a personal floatation device.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
Warmer temperatures are expected this week but they're apparently only for a quick tease before returning to normal.
Andy Sullivan is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gaylord.
He said a January thaw is normal, but like normal he said the warmth won't last long. An arctic front is expected to move in over the weekend.
But Sullivan said a cold front doesn't mean more snow.
"We seem to be kind of stuck in dole drums as far as active weather at least with snow for Northern Michigan. We got off to a real slow start here but it doesn't look like it's changing anytime soon. I mean we'll still get some periods of snow obviously but it's been a tough go of it so far." Sullivan said.
Sullivan said if Michigan's weather remains unchanged, this winter could be another record breaking, snowless year.
Precipitation is now falling across central and northern Michigan, as a major blast of winter weather moves into the state.
Some locations, especially to the far north, could see 14 inches of snow by the time all is said and done. Below, you will find the latest warnings and advisories for your area:
Upper Peninsula
Winter Storm Warning for Chippewa, Mackinac and Luce counties through 7pm Friday (1pm Friday for Luce County)
HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL DEVELOP THROUGH THE DAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT...WITH LIGHTER SNOWS FOR FRIDAY. SNOWFALL TOTALS WILL RANGE FROM 8 TO 14 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL ACCOMPANY THIS SNOW...ESPECIALLY LATE TONIGHT AND FRIDAY...WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTHERLY WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 50 MPH.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Winter Storm Warning for Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle counties until 7pm Friday.
HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL DEVELOP THROUGH THE DAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT...WITH LIGHTER SNOWS FOR FRIDAY. SNOWFALL TOTALS WILL RANGE FROM 8 TO 14 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL ACCOMPANY THIS SNOW...ESPECIALLY LATE TONIGHT AND FRIDAY...WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NORTHERLY WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 50 MPH. PERIODIC BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE CERTAINLY POSSIBLE FOR MANY AREAS OF NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN.
Winter Weather Advisory for Alcona, Gladwin and Ogemaw counties until 7pm Friday
SNOW WILL DEVELOP THIS MORNING...BEFORE TRANSITIONING QUICKLY TO A RAIN AND SNOW MIXTURE...WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS EVENING. PRECIPITATION WILL ONCE AGAIN TRANSITION TO ALL SNOW LATER TONIGHT. THE SNOW WILL BE MODERATE AT TIMES AND CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY. SNOWFALL TOTALS WILL RANGE BETWEEN 2 TO 5 INCHES. STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS GUSTING AS HIGH AS 45 MPH WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY...LEADING TO PERIODS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.
Central Lower Michigan
Winter Weather Advisory for Clare, Isabella, Mecosta and Newaygo counties until 7pm Friday.
1 TO 3 INCHES OF WET SLUSHY SNOW HAD ACCUMULATED OVERNIGHT AND ANOTHER INCH OR TWO WILL FALL THIS MORNING BEFORE SNOW CHANGES TO ALL RAIN.
RAIN WILL CHANGE TO BACK SNOW TONIGHT...AND ANOTHER 1 TO LOCALLY 4 INCHES OF SNOW COULD FALL LATE TONIGHT AND FRIDAY. NORTH WINDS WILL GUST TO 45 MPH THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY.
TEMPERATURES WILL FALL BELOW FREEZING TOWARD DAYBREAK FRIDAY MORNING AND WILL REMAIN NEAR FREEZING ON FRIDAY.
Winter Weather Advisory for Clinton, Gratiot, Ionia and Montcalm counties from 1am Friday until 7pm Friday
RAIN TODAY WILL CHANGE TO SNOW OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE TO 1 TO LOCALLY 3 INCHES TOTAL LATE NIGHT AND FRIDAY. WINDS WILL GUST TO 55 MPH TONIGHT AND FRIDAY.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
Michigan snow sports are highly dependent on the weather, but if there's no snow in certain areas, don't be discouraged.
"It's been cold enough now that most of our ski areas across the state have been making snow, so even if there isn't snow on the ground our ski areas will be open and we will be skiing." McWilliams said.
Mickey McWilliams is the executive director of the Michigan Snowsports Association. She said the sporting industry can be affected simply by people forgetting about it.
"If there's snow on the ground people think about going skiing and snowboarding, if there's not snow on the ground, even if there is snow say in Northern Michigan or the upper peninsula, people don't think about it as much. Certainly it would help, we're still hoping for a white Christmas, not sure if that's going to work out or not but it looks like it will work out for part of the state, just not the whole state." She said.
McWilliams said a lack of snow on the ground is not an indication there is no snow on the ski hills. She said hills can make snow at 25 degrees and below.
"Ideally the temperatures should be 28 degrees or lower to make snow, you can make it at higher temperature than that but to make good snow you need 28 degrees or lower. What you need to make snow is water and compression. We actually have snow guns that are made in Midland Michigan." She said.
Parts of central and northern Michigan will be impacted by a major winter storm this week, beginning Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, some areas could see over 10 inches of snow by Friday evening. Strong winds and blizzard conditions are also possible.
Forecasters say driving conditions will worsen during the day tomorrow. Slick and snow-covered roads are expected, as well as periods of poor visibility due to falling, blowing and drifting snow.
Power outages will also be possible.
Here's what is expected as of this morning in your location:
Central Lower Peninsula A winter storm watch is in effect for Clare, Isabella, Lake, Mecosta, Newaygo and Osceola counties from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon..
Snow and blowing snow will develop Thursday afternoon into Friday. North winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts up to 50 mph.
Travel will become difficult with wet roads becoming snow covered and icy Thursday night. Near whiteout conditions will be possible at times.
Northern Lower Peninsula A winter storm warning is in effect from 7am Thursday until 7pm Friday for Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Missaukee, Montmorecny, Otsego, Presque Isle and Wexford counties.
A winter storm watch is in effect for Alcona, Alpena, Gladwin, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Roscommon counties from Thursday morning through Friday evening.
Heavy snow will develop through the day Thursday, and continue into much of Thursday night. Snowfall totals will be in excess of 10 inches in the warning area, and between 6 and 12 inches in the watch area, according to the National Weather Service.
Across the warning area, blowing and drifting snow will accompany this system, and periods of blizzard conditions are possible.
In the watch area, the snowfall will mix with rain at times, resulting in some uncertainty regarding snowfall total expectations. Blowing and drifting snow is possible.
The snow is expected to be heavy and wet, making driving conditions difficult. Power outages will be possible.
Upper Peninsula A winter storm warning is in effect from 7am Thursday until 7pm Friday for Chippewa and Mackinac counties, and from 7am Thursday until 1pm Friday for Luce County.
Heavy snow will develop through the day Thursday, and continue into much of Thursday night. Snowfall totals will be in excess of 10 inches for Chippewa and Mackinac counties, and 6 to 11 inches for Luce County.
Across the warning area, blowing and drifting snow will accompany this system, and periods of blizzard conditions are possible. Heavy, wet snow could also result in power outages.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
Michigan Consumer Energy crews are working around the clock to get the power back on for nearly 3,000 affected customers. Statewide, nearly 80 thousand people were without power after hurricane Sandy swept through the east coast last night.
Roger Morgenstern, with Consumers Energy, said power outages of this magnitude caused by a hurricane are unusual.
"We're accustomed to winter storms and to wind storms that usually come from the west, not the east and usually they're later in the year than the last week of October. So it's rather unusual it comes from a hurricane this late in the season."
Morgenstern said the power should be back on by midnight tonight.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
President Obama's and Mitt Romney's campaigns say bad weather won't slow down their efforts in Michigan.
A week away from the November election, most polls show President Obama ahead in the state. But Romney supporters in Michigan say they're gaining ground. Romney State Director John Sellek said Tropical Storm Sandy has not hurt get-out-the-vote efforts.
"In Michigan, we're a hardy breed of folks. And we're used to doing this. We're used to being out working in the weather."
Romney campaign officials say they have several thousand volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls in the state. The Obama campaign in Michigan is encouraging its volunteers to stay safe, but still plans to be in the field through Election Day. The State Police is asking people to prepare for cold, windy weather. Emergency officials say flooding and blackouts are possible.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
The effects of Hurricane Sandy are headed toward Michigan.
Meteorologists warn of icy road conditions, high winds and possible power outages late tonight and going into tomorrow.
Jim Keysor is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gaylord. He said the effects should be short lived.
"The biggest wind gusts will be through midday tomorrow probably, it's still going to be breezy after that but I think the strongest gusts when we talk about like 50mph potential will be through midday tomorrow. And really that goes for the participation too, I think the snow potential and some of the worst of that should come through midday tomorrow."
Keysor said tree damage power outages are likely.
BY MIKE HORACE & AMY ROBINSON
Break those shorts back out, unseasonably warm temperatures are expected later this week.
An unusual October weather system will push temperatures well into the 70s Wednesday and Thursday, putting some record temperatures in jeopardy.
Nick Schwartz is with the National Weather Service in Gaylord. He said enjoy the warmth while it lasts, because by Thursday night, things will start to go downhill...
"Then we're going to be dealing with a pretty strong cold front which will be moving through, especially as we head into Thursday night and into Friday. That will bring us a real good chance for some scattered showers, and behind that, a sharp cool down for the upcoming weekend."
The best chance for record warm temperatures this week is in southern Michigan, places like Grand Rapids and Muskegon.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
Michiganders may have gotten used to mild winters, but the National Weather Service in Gaylord is telling people how to prepare for more snow this winter.
The National Weather Service is hosting a series of workshops this fall to explain the extreme weather patterns this year, and tell people what to expect for the coming winter.
Jim Keysor is a meteorologist with the weather service. He said Michigan will see more snowfall this winter than last.
"So it looks closer to normal snowfall wise, temperatures probably close to normal, maybe even a touch above normal on temperatures. But I think what people will notice this winter from last winter is more storms, more snowfall, more snow depth throughout the winter."
Keysor said the workshop will also address the El Niño and La Niña weather patterns, lake effect snow and winter emergency preparedness.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
The trend of warm weather this past year has affected everything from crops to forest fires.
Now scientists worry about the impacts the warm weather's having on the Great Lakes.
Lake Superior is of particular concern for some scientists. It reached record temperatures in certain areas this past August. And has been experiencing an upward trend in overall temperatures.
George Leshkevich is a physical scientist at the Noaa Great Lakes Laboratory. He said a lack of ice coverage over Lake Superior is contributing to the increase of its temperature.
That lack of ice coverage, he said, will have a major impact on fisheries.
"Some species need a stable ice cover over spawning beds so winter storms don't affect the spawning beds if there's an ice cover and some species my understanding they need the cold temperatures to spawn."
Lack of ice coverage, Leshkevich said, is also contributing to a decrease in water levels throughout the Great Lakes.
BY CONSUELO MCABOY
Labor Day weekend awaits us, which means it's time for outdoor activities with the family like hiking, biking and maybe even sitting around a campfire.
Although it all sounds fun, the DNR wants to remind everyone to keep fire safety in mind this upcoming holiday weekend.
Anyone who stayed in Michigan this summer would agree that we had an extremely hot summer with low rainfall for many areas.
These dry conditions have increased the potential for fires.
Usually the late August period is when temperatures start to cool down, but this upcoming weekend is expected to reach high temperatures.
Paul Kollmeyer is the Fire Prevention Specialist for the Department of Natural Resources. He said there have been a number of fires this year.
so far in 2012 the state of MI, department of natural resources has responded to 441 fires which total 23,375 acres which is a large amount of acreage
Kollmeyer said campfires and barbecues are prone to causing forest fires.
He said the best way to practice fire safety is to make sure to clear out all vegetation, have water handy and put the fire out before leaving.
BY JESI MUNGUIA
New technology similar to doppler radar is being used to help researchers predict rip currents in the Great Lakes.
Rip currents funnel water out toward a lake through a break in a sandbar. They are the leading cause of swimming deaths in the Great Lakes.
Researchers will use radar technology and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles to map the bottom of the lake. They want to show where the rip channels exist before and after a storm, and they'll measure the strength of the currents
Guy Meadows is the director of the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Technological University...
"People normally think of rip currents as an ocean phenomena but the Great Lakes wave climate tends to also produce very intense rip currents. There's a number of the drownings have occurred within state park beaches. So we'd really like to be able to understand and work with National Weather Service to better predict when conditions are right for rip currents."
Meadows said, the study is currently being conducted on two sections of Lake Michigan. The plan is to study other lakes in the future.
BY JESI MUNGUIA
Thank effects of Michigan's strange spring; the warm March followed by a freezing April are still being felt. This time by migrant workers who normally harvest fruit crops. Many orchards didn't open their migrant housing camps this season, leaving the workers with no housing and no jobs.
Officials with the Michigan Farm Bureau say that there were ten percent fewer applications for licenses to host housing camps this season. They say they haven't seen anything like this since the 1940s.
Now the Michigan State Housing Development Authority is offering housing assistance to migrant workers.The state has set aside $172 to help tide workers over until the late season crops are ready for harvest.
Craig Anderson is with the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Calls begin to come to me indicating that workers were showing up and the facility owner operator had not intended to open it because not a short crop but a zero crop and could not fund the opening of the facilities.
The emergency housing assistance program is aimed at migrant families that have been coming back for several generations. Each family can apply for up to $400 in housing assistance.
BY AMY ROBINSON
Weather records are beginning to fall as summer temperatures continue to rise.
National Weather Service meteorologists have crunched numbers for Traverse City. And they've found that the number of 90+ degree days so far this summer already exceeds the average number for the entire year. In an average summer, Traverse City gets 10 days of 90-degrees or higher. This year, it's already had 17.
Jim Keysor is a meteorologist with the weather service. He said he expects other cities to follow suit.
Overall, we're seeing a number of locations in Northern Michigan that've already exceeded their average number of 90-degree days, already here in mid-July.
Kysor said the next four-to-six weeks will likely look a lot like the past four-to-six weeks. Some brief cool downs, and then temperatures running right back up again.
BY KAITLYN CAMILLERI
Michigan will experience higher temperatures and more health problems with the rise of ground-level ozone pollution. This according to a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The report said high levels of ozone pollution will cost Michigan more than five-hundred-million dollars by the year 2020.
The pollution causes breathing problems and will increase the number of hospitalizations.
This spring, the Environmental Protection Agency implemented standards to reduce emissions from power plants and vehicles.
Rachel Cleetus is one of the authors of the report, she is a Senior Climate Economist.
"All of these actions together are going to be very important in terms of determining the future health of folks in Michigan and all around the country."
Cleetus reports that we will continue to see high temperature days and high levels of ground-level ozone unless we can reduce the amount of emissions in the air.
By Amy Robinson
We're looking ahead to a quiet week coming off a cool spell, and meteorologists say it's official this past spring was record setting.
Meteorologists define spring period March, April and May.
They say this year the historic heat in March, set the bar for spring to rate in the top three warmest in most, if not all areas, in central and northern Michigan, In some cities; including Houghton Lake and Traverse City, it was the warmest meteorological spring on record.
Dave Lawrence is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gaylord. He said record warmth was felt throughout the Midwest and East Coast.
"This was primarily an eastern two-thirds or so of the country phenomenon. We had a very deep trough of low pressure across the western United States. Lots of cold weather out that way through the spring, lots of mountain snows which is great for them and their water supplies, but on sort of the downstream side of that, we had a very, very large ridge of low pressure pumping lots of warmth up from the southern states. Sort of warmth you more typically see of course in the summertime months here. But just given that highly amplified pattern, we were able to realize those very warm temperatures even sort of as we rounded out the summer months."
Lawrence said he believes central and northern Michigan will see a typical summer with longer stretches of heat, interrupted sharply by cool weather.
NEWBERRY -- The Duck Lake Fire has destroyed at least 97 structures since it began Wednesday, according to figures released late Sunday night by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The losses include 34 homes and cabins, 22 garages, 22 sheds and outbuildings and 17 campers. A store and a motel were also destroyed.
The DNR says there are 134 properties within the perimeter of the fire. Of those, 99 have been inspected. Inspections are ongoing, and the DNR says the entire fire has not yet been inventoried.
Of the 99 properties inspected so far, 39 have suffered losses. Some properties had multiple structures lost.
The Duck Lake Fire, burning in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County, has consumed 22,204 acres since it was sparked by a lightning strike Wednesday afternoon. Strong winds fueled the blaze, allowing it to burn 11 miles north of its origin to the Lake Superior shoreline.
The area of most concern is along the eastern flank of the fire, which remains largely uncontrolled. Firefighters have been defending structures in the area from both the ground and air.
The DNR says 214 personnel are fighting the blaze. Forty-five of those are tied to air operations. Resources have come from eight volunteer fire departments, the Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin DNRs, the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service, several law enforcement agencies, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
DNR offers escorted site visits for property owners Property owners can now register for escorted site visits to their properties. Upper Peninsula residents can dial 211. All others can call (800) 338-1119.
Property owners can use the same number to register for updates about the property assessment process.
The DNR says property escorts will depend on fire conditions and operations at the time. Permanent residents whose homes are within the fire line will be given priority. Only individuals who own property will be allowed within the fire perimeter.
An evacuation order remains in effect from Pike Lake east to County Road 500, and north to Little Lake Harbor.
On the Web
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
NEWBERRY -- At least 95 structures have been destroyed by the Duck Lake Fire in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County, according to the latest assessment by the Department of Natural Resources.
A number of other properties have not yet been inspected, and officials say the number of structures lost could climb higher yet.
The fire now stands at 22,204 total acres, and is 51 percent contained. The DNR's full morning update is posted below:
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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today offered an updated assessment and details of properties lost in the Upper Peninsula's Duck Lake Fire.
Thus far, 100 properties have been inspected for possible damage. Inspections are ongoing, and the entire fire has not been inspected. Of the 100 properties inspected, 31 properties have suffered losses. On the 31 properties that suffered losses - some with multiple structures -- 95 structures were lost. Those include:
• 34 homes/cabins • 22 garages • 20 sheds/outbuildings • 17 campers • 1 store • 1 motel
Property damage assessment will continue today. Concerned property owners should phone 211 (Upper Peninsula residents) and 1-800-338-1119 (all others) to register their structure location and contact information. As the structure inventory and damage assessment are completed, the involved parties will be contacted and informed of the status of their properties.
Luce County Emergency Management on Sunday provided landowner site visits for homeowners in the Pike Lake and Little Lake Harbor areas. This was an opportunity to quickly visit their homes to see the status for themselves. For the general public, all road closures remain in effect until further notice. No road reopening schedule has been determined due to ongoing fire issues and aircraft suppression efforts. County Road 414 east from the intersection with County Road 410, and County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor are closed. Please do not enter the area.
An evacuation order remains in effect for the area from Pike Lake east to County Road 500 and north to Little Lake Harbor. Residents are advised to be vigilant and evacuate. The most recent GPS data estimate the fire size at 22,204 acres. The fire is 51 percent contained. The fire made some runs yesterday, and additional GPS data became available that resulted in a slight upwards revision of the fire size. The estimated cost of fighting the fire to date is $450,557.
The south end of the fire is 14 miles north of Newberry and 7 miles west from Tahquamenon Falls State Park campgrounds. The fire is long and narrow and stretches 11 miles to the north to Lake Superior. There are currently 40 miles of fire line. Of that fire line, 6 miles is Lake Superior shoreline, 13 miles is completed line (includes County Road 500), and 21 miles is uncontained fire line. Access is very difficult with few roads.
A warm front moving through this morning will bring some rain which is expected to clear by noon. Temperatures in the low 70s and a relative humidity of 50 percent or greater are expected.
Yesterday, firefighters made progress in securing portions of the fire perimeter, especially along the northwest flank from Lake Superior south to County Road 414 and at the south end (heel) of the fire. The fire line has been extended well south of County Road 410.
North of Pike Lake the fire has extended east to County Road 500, with the fire crossing the road in one location. Fire lines in this area are currently holding. South of Pike Lake the fire is well west of County Road 500. Structure protection is a high priority and is being closely monitored from the air.
The entire east side of the fire, from Little Lake Harbor south, is active and with expected westerly/southwesterly winds, extreme fire conditions persist. Flame lengths within the fire perimeter are still 10 to 15 feet. Potential for blow-up conditions continue. So far, 9 miles of the 31-mile-long perimeter has secure line built. Twenty-two miles of fire line remain to be built.
Three VFD fire engines patrolled the lines during the night and continued suppression of hot spots.
Today's incident objectives are to: • Provide for public and firefighter safety • Provide for structure protection • Keep fire north of M-123 • Keep fire in vicinity of County Road 500 • Hold fire inside constructed dozer line on northwest flank • Hold fire inside burnout operations on the northeast flank • Continue to work on securing fire line at the marsh • Continue collecting GPS data on completed line.
Today, fire crews will focus on mopping up and securing the west side of Pike Lake, an area of heavy duff fuels. Structure protection is a priority in this area. A hand crew that arrived last night will be working in this area today. Crews will work to hold the existing secure line, fortify the established line put in yesterday, and extend fire lines north from the fire heel along both the east and west flanks.
A burn-out operation was conducted Saturday to create black line along County Road 500 on the northeast flank. This area will be monitored and mopped up where needed to secure this portion of the flank. Air operations today will focus on the east and southwest flanks and structure protection.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park's lower falls campground, upper falls viewing area, and visitor center have been closed due to smoke concerns. Please do not visit the park. A total of 214 personnel (of which 45 are overhead personnel) are involved with fire suppression efforts. People and agencies involved include:
• Three Conservation Officers on duty around the clock. • Volunteer fire departments: Bay Mills, Garfield Township, Columbus Township, Portage Township, Whitefish Township, Superior Township, Village of Newberry, and Kinross Township. • 16 DNR fire engines, 8 volunteer fire department engines, 2 VFD fire department water tankers, 3 Wisconsin DNR engines. • 11 Michigan DNR and 2 Wisconsin DNR bulldozers • 1 US Fish & Wildlife Service Helicopter • 2 Minnesota DNR Air Tankers • 4 Michigan National Guard aircraft and ground support.
Agencies cooperating in the firefighting effort include the Michigan State Police, Luce County Sherriff's Department, Michigan State Police Emergency Management, Luce County Emergency Management, Michigan National Guard, Wisconsin DNR, Minnesota DNR, Chippewa County Sheriff Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Red Cross and Salvation Army.
It is essential that the public realize and respect the extreme danger this fire poses to especially areas east of the entire 10-mile-long east flank.
A special note of thanks: The Duck Lake Fire staff and DNR would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support from Newberry, Luce County and the entire region. The numerous citizens lining the streets of Newberry to welcome the fire crews back after a long hard day of fighting fire on the lines is very much appreciated. The Red Cross has also been inundated with donations of food, clothes, Gatorade, and water for both the evacuees and fire staff.
The firefighters would especially like to thank all of the Tahquamenon Area Girl Scout Troops for donating $300 from their newspaper and magazine recycling project to provide snacks and goodies for the fire staff while they are out on the fire line. A special thanks also to Snyder Drugs for working with the troops to provide the snacks to the firefighters. Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources
NEWBERRY (DNR) -- The Duck Lake Fire burning in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County is now 48 percent contained, although officials remain very concerned about the fire's potential to blow up again.
New GPS data show that the fire is now estimated to cover 20,255 acres. Forty-eight percent of the fire area is contained. The south end of the fire is 14 miles north of Newberry and 7 miles west from Tahquamenon Falls State Park campgrounds. The fire is long and narrow and stretches 11 miles to the north to Lake Superior. There are currently 40 miles of fire line. Of that fire line, 6 miles is Lake Superior shoreline, 13 miles is completed line (includes County Road 500), and 21 miles is uncontained fire line. Access is very difficult with few roads. Saturday, firefighters made progress on securing portions of the fire perimeter especially along the northwest flank from Lake Superior south to County Road 414 and at the south end of the fire. North of Pike Lake the fire has extended east to County Road 500, with the fire crossing the road in two locations. Fire lines in this area are currently holding.
PDF: Most recent fire map (as of 11pm Saturday): 5-27map.pdf South of Pike Lake the fire is well west of County Road 500. Air water drops have knocked down hot spots from Little Lake Harbor south to Culhane Lake. Structure protection is high priority and is being closely monitored from the air. The entire east side of the fire, from Little Lake Harbor south, is active and with expected westerly/northwesterly winds, extreme fire conditions persist. Flame lengths within the fire perimeter are still 10 to 15 feet. Potential for blow-up conditions continue. During the night, three VFD fire engines patrolled the lines and continued suppression of hot spots. Today's incident objectives are: -- To provide for public and firefighter safety -- To provide for structure protection -- To keep the fire north of M-123 -- To keep fire in vicinity of County Rd. 500 -- To hold fire inside constructed dozer line on northwest flank -- To hold the fire inside burnout operations on the northeast flank -- To continue gathering GPS data on completed line. Today's fire suppression activities will focus on holding existing secure line, fortifying established line put in yesterday, and extending fire lines north from the fire heel along both the east and west flanks. A burn out operation yesterday to create black line along Co. Rd. 500 on the northeast flank will be monitored and mopped up where needed to secure this portion of the flank. Air operations will be focusing efforts on the east and south west flanks and structure protection. An evacuation order is in effect for the area from Pike Lake east to County Road 500 and north to Little Lake Harbor. Residents are advised to be vigilant and evacuate. County Road 414 east from the intersection with County Road 410, and County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor are closed. Please do not enter the area.
Property Information: UP Residents: 211 Non-UP Residents: (800) 338-1119
A number of structures have been damaged or lost. The Luce County Emergency Management Team, DNR conservation officers, and firefighters will continue to assess damage. Concerned parties should phone 211 (Upper Peninsula residents) and 1-800-338-1119 (all others) to register their structure location and contact information. As the structure inventory and damage assessment are completed, the involved parties will be contacted by the DNR and informed of the status of their property. The Tahquamenon Falls State Park's lower falls campground, upper falls viewing area, and visitor center have been closed due to smoke concerns. A total of 229 personnel (of which 40 are overhead personnel) are involved with fire suppression efforts. Agencies, people and equipment involved include: • Three DNR Conservation Officers on duty around the clock. • Volunteer fire departments: Bay Mills, Garfield Township, Columbus Township, Portage Township, Whitefish Township, Superior Township, Village of Newberry, Seney Township, and Kinross Township. • 13 DNR fire engines, 10 volunteer fire department engines, 2 VFD fire department water tankers, 3 Wisconsin DNR engines. • 12 Michigan DNR and 2 Wisconsin DNR bulldozers • 1 US Fish & Wildlife Service Helicopter • 2 Minnesota DNR Air Tankers • 4 Michigan National Guard aircraft and ground support. Cooperating Agencies include the Michigan State Police, Luce County Sherriff's Department, Red Cross, Michigan State Police Emergency Management, Luce County Emergency Management, Michigan National Guard, Wisconsin DNR, Minnesota DNR, Chippewa County Sheriff Department, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A warm front moving through this morning and may bring some rain on the fire area which is expected to clear by noon. Temperatures in the low 70s and a relative humidity of 50 percent or greater are expected. It is essential that the public realize and respect the extreme danger this fire poses to especially areas east of the entire 10 mile long east flank. The rain and the predicted weather for today will aid progress in constructing additional fire control lines and securing existing line. The Duck Lake Fire staff and DNR would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support from Newberry, Luce County and the entire region. The numerous citizens lining the streets of Newberry to welcome the fire crews back after a long hard day of fighting fire on the lines is very much appreciated. In addition, the Red Cross has been inundated with donations of food, clothes, Gatorade, and water for both the evacuees and fire staff. The firefighters would especially like to thank all of the Tahquamenon Area Girl Scout Troops for donating $300 from their newspaper and magazine recycling project to provide snacks and goodies for the fire staff while they are out on the fire line. A special thanks also to Snyder Drugs for working with the troops to provide the snacks to the firefighters.
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
NEWBERRY -- A public meeting will be held Sunday to update people forced from their homes by the Duck Lake Fire in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County.
The meeting is being hosted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Speakers include Rich Ahnen, the DNR's on-site incident commander, and his deputies, and officials from Luce County's Emergency Management department and the State Police.
The meeting is Sunday, May 27 at 2pm, at the McMillan Township Hall. The hall is located at the corner of M-123 and Truman in Newberry.
Officials will brief residents on general fire information, and provide an update about structure losses.
DNR creates registration system to update property owners
Property owners are being asked to register by telephone so they can receive further updates about their properties. Upper Peninsula residents can do this by calling 211. Non-Upper Peninsula residents can call (800) 338-1119.
Callers will be asked to provide their names, fire number/address, general location of their structures, and current contact information where they can be reached.
NEWBERRY (1pm 5/26/12) -- The Duck Lake Fire in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County grew to 21,114 acres overnight, and remains largely out of control.
Firefighters are concentrating today on fire lines along the east and west flanks of the fire, including those protecting structures around Little Lake Harbor and Pike Lake.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the fire is 14 miles north of Newberry, seven miles west of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park campground, and stretches 11 miles north to Lake Superior. It's border includes 29.5 miles of unconfined fire line, and six miles of Lake Superior shoreline.
Access to the fire remains difficult, as there are few roads in the area.
Residents in the area from Pike Lake east to County Road 500, and north to Little Lake Harbor, have been ordered to evacuate. County Road 414 to County Road 410 is closed to traffic, as is County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor.
North of Pike Lake, the fire has crossed County Road 500. Officials with the DNR say fire lines are currently holding in this area.
South of Pike Lake, the fire is well west of County Road 500. Air water drops have knocked down hot spots from Little Lake Harbor south to Culhane Lake. The entire east flank from Little Lake Harbor south is active, and extreme fire conditions persist. Flame lengths within the perimeter are still 10 feet to 15 feet, and the potential for blow-up conditions continues.
Seven volunteer fire departments and a DNR fire engine worked throughout the night to protect and monitor structures. Emergency management officials and Michigan Conservation Officers also worked through the night to assess damage to private structures.
Officials with the DNR say the area east of the fire is of the most concern. They fear a return of strong winds from the west could push the fire into denser fuels, and more homes and cabins.
MORE INFORMATION: DNR toll-free information line: (855) 440-6424
The number of firefighters on the scene grew to 101 today, up from 91 yesterday. Equipment includes a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helicopter, two Minnesota DNR Air Tankers, and fire engines from the Michigan DNR, seven volunteer fire departments and the Wisconsin DNR.
Four Michigan National Guard aircraft are also expected to arrive today, following Gov. Rick Snyder's order yesterday activating the National Guard in Schoolcraft and Luce counties.
Today's forecast calls for calmer winds, which officials hope will aid in the securing of additional fire control lines.
An outdoor burning ban remains in effect for much of central and northern Michigan. See below for a complete list.
On the Web
Counties under an outdoor burning ban Alcona Alger Alpena Antrim Arenac Baraga Bay Benzie Charlevoix Cheboygan Chippewa Clare Crawford Delta Dickinson Emmet Gladwin Gogebic Grand Traverse Houghton Iosco Iron Isabella Kalkaska Keweenaw Lake Leelanau Luce Mackinac Manistee Marquette Mason Mecosta Menominee Midland Missaukee Montmorency Muskegon Newaygo Oceana Ogemaw Ontonagon Osceola Oscoda Otsego Presque Isle Roscommon Schoolcraft Wexford
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
NEWBERRY (11:30PM 5/25/12) -- A wildfire in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County remained out of control Friday evening, threatening numerous homes and Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, nearly 18,000 acres had been consumed by the Duck Lake Fire. The fire was sparked Wednesday afternoon by a lightning strike.
The highest danger area is to the east of the fire, and officials fear the fire could quickly push to the east if winds were to increase.
Residents in the area from Pike Lake east to County Road 500, and north to Little Lake Harbor, have been ordered to evacuate. County Road 414 to County Road 410 is closed to traffic, as is County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the long and narrow fire is 14 miles north of Newberry, and seven miles west of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. From north to south, the fire is 11 miles long, and includes six miles of Lake Superior shoreline. In all, there are 29.5 miles of unconfined fire line, and the fire is active along its entire eastern flank.
Emergency management officials say numerous structures have been lost or damaged. Luce County's Emergency Management Team will begin assessing property damage when conditions permit.
A statewide toll-free information line has been set up for people affected by the wildfires. The number is 855-440-6424.
As of Friday evening, 91 firefighters were on the scene of the fire. They include 49 DNR firefighters and 24 from area volunteer fire departments. There are 17 fire engines on the scene, two water tankers, 10 bulldozers, one U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Helicopter and two Minnesota DNR air tankers.
Also Friday, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster in Luce and Schoolcraft counties because of ongoing fire conditions. The governor's order bans outdoor burning and the sale and use of fireworks in the area affected by the wildfire.
The governor also activated the Michigan National Guard to assist with the wildfire, and granted emergency managers the authority to order and compel evacuations.
Snyder has also banned outdoor burning in 49 Michigan counties. A list is below.
The DNR is strongly encouraging all residents and visitors across the state to avoid open burning and the use of any fireworks this weekend, to minimize the possibility of more wildfires.
On the Web
Counties where outdoor burning is banned Alcona Alger Alpena Antrim Arenac Baraga Bay Benzie Charlevoix Cheboygan Chippewa Clare Crawford Delta Dickinson Emmet Gladwin Gogebic Grand Traverse Houghton Iosco Iron Isabella Kalkaska Keweenaw Lake Leelanau Luce Mackinac Manistee Marquette Mason Mecosta Menominee Midland Missaukee Montmorency Muskegon Newaygo Oceana Ogemaw Ontonagon Osceola Oscoda Otsego Presque Isle Roscommon Schoolcraft Wexford
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The Duck Lake Fire continues to burn out of control in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County.
Officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources say approximately 17,000 acres have burned. People living east of Pike Lake are now being asked to evacuate immediately.
Gary Willis, Public Information Officer for the DNR, says 20 structures have burned so far, and many more are in jeopardy. Hear Amy Robinson's interview with him using the audio player at the top of this story.
On the Web
NEWBERRY -- A large wildfire is burning out of control in Luce County. As of late Thursday evening, 9,526 acres had burned. The Department of Natural Resources is describing the blaze, named the "Duck Lake Fire," as "burning explosively." The fire was sparked by a lightning strike around 4pm Wednesday afternoon, and quickly grew Thursday under hot, windy conditions. Forest management officials say the fire is burning in Jack Pine forest, a type of vegetation known for beng highly flammable. The fire has triggered several evacuations in the Pike Lake area, and a Red Cross shelter has been opened at the Newberry Youth Center. According to the DNR, over 40 personnel are working to contain the fire. They are operating six tractor plows, seven wild land fire engines, and a marsh unit among other equipment. Additionally, firefighters from Bay Mills, Newberry Village, Portage Township, White Fish Township, Superior Township and Garfield Township are providing support. The Upper Peninsula has been plagued by wildfires this week. In Schoolcraft County, over 3,200 acres have burned inside the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. That fire is about 65 percent contained. And earlier this week, 22 acres burned near Pike Lake in Luce County. Scattered showers and thunderstorms were forecast for the region early Friday morning, some of which could contain heavy rain. But government forecasters warned that dangerous fire conditions could return Friday afternoon, with temperatures forecast to rise into the upper-70s and winds topping 20 mph. On the Web
Map of Duck Lake Fire: Yellow Dots are structures. Pike Lake is in section 15 and 14. Fire origin is the green dot in section 27. Duck_Lake_map_20120524.pdf
Photo Credit: Sara Giles, United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
By Mike Horace Outdoor enthusiasts and the small businesses that cater to them are counting their losses from "the winter that wasn't."
Dawn Bodner with the Indian River Chamber of Commerce says it
happened over and over again. The annual dog sled race: canceled. Ice
Hockey Tournament: Canceled. Cross County skiing events: all canceled and she said forget about snowmobiling.
Bodner said a few small businesses that were already struggling simply closed for good...
"I think the weather probably had the final impact on them because
people weren't coming up. They weren't spending money. It just didn't
end well for them."
Bodner said Indian River saw between 30 percent and 70 percent drops in tourist activity over the last five months.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, this winter was the fourth warmest on record. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Amy Robinson
The weather is cool, but fire danger remains high this week in many areas of Michigan.
The cool weather brings us closer to normal seasonal temperatures, but it blows in along with low humidity, high winds and in many areas, plenty of sunshine.
All combining to keep forests dry and fire crews on alert.
Carol Nilson is a spokeswoman with the US Forest Service
"Cool weather is not an indication that fire season has stopped. We are still in fire season and it will continue now until we get significant moisture."
Nilson said fire crews in northern Michigan have already fought, and quickly contained, 29 fires in March; an unusually high number.
She said the National Weather service is predicting a summer that's hotter and drier than normal. That points to a wildfire season that not only starts early, but also runs long.
By Chris McCarus
The warm weather we've had lately is not just affecting people. It's affecting animals.
Michigan Now's Chris McCarus went with the DNR to visit bears in their dens.
He finds bears are spending less time in hibernation and more time near people. And that's bad for us and them...
By Amy Robinson
If you're looking out the window and liking what you're seeing, good news: there's more warm weather on the way.
The early spring is putting some farmers in the planting mood.
But others, mainly fruit growers, are wishing Mother Nature wouldn't have been quite so quick with the warm up.
Temperatures this week will reach into the 70s, particularly in central and southern counties. Meteorologists say that's a good 20-30 degrees above normal for this time of year.
But that doesn't mean spring is here to stay.
"Well I wouldn't go that far."
Jeff Halblob is with the National Weather Service office in Gaylord.
He said March is just too early to expect to be completely done with winter in Michigan
"it's absolutely certain that we will flirt with winter at least a couple more times before we get into April and May."
And that projected, pending freeze is exactly what's worrying Michigan fruit growers. Cherry, apple and other orchards are seeing buds on the trees. Fragile buds. Buds that could die in a hard freeze
"...Those with perennial crops, the fruit crops especially, are very concerned because anytime that you have tree development this early, the percentage chance that you're going to have a killing frost is very high."
Bob Boehm is a spokesman for the Michigan Farm Bureau. He said Michigan orchards are in a precarious position this spring. The buds are out too soon thanks to the mild spring and the mild winter. Orchards located near the great lakes, like many of them are, count on a winter buffer.
"We like cold winters that provide an ice cover and that tends to refrigerate those first couple of counties in and keep those buds tighter and slow the development in the spring. Unfortunately, this winter was so mild that we didn't have any ice out on the lake and so that temperature isn't going to have that moderating effect"
And this winter was not just mild, it was record setting.
Again, meteorologist Jeff Halblob
"Nationwide, it was one of the warmest on record. The latest numbers are that it ranked fourth out of the last 120 years of weather records."
But all this mild weather; from the winter and particularly into this week is good news for one contingent of farmers; those who grow annual crops; corn, sugar beets, and soybeans and the like.
Last year, a cold wet spring kept them out of the fields for longer than they liked. This year Bob Boehm said, soil moisture is good, the weather is warm and they're ready to go.
You always remember the last year the best and you know that you were sitting on the sidelines waiting for fields to dry out so that you could get out and get the crops planted. So I know that there will be a lot of anxious activity getting ready so that they can get into the fields just as soon as they can.
Boehm said although annual farmers are optimistic about the prospects for the growing season, most have been at this game too long to get too comfortable with what appears to be good news. An easy growing year for crops is also an easy growing year for pests.
We're concerned about what kind of bugs and weed problems are we gonna' have that didn't get killed off or at least their populations cut way back by some hard freezes. Likely we'll be dealing with more pest issues earlier in the season maybe even another generation of certain pests because the season will be longer and extended because it got started to early.
Boehm said while annual farmers and orchards alike are hoping that now that it's here, the warm weather stays, maple syrup producers on the other hand hardly had a chance.
They rely on cool days and freezing nights to get the sap running. Not a pattern we're likely to see in this early spring heat wave.
By Amy Robinson
The word is coming out today from the State DNR and and National Forest Service: many northern Michigan recreational trails are closed this weekend.
The effects of last week's snow story are still being felt, and likely will for some time.
Ken Arbogast with the Huron-Manistee National Forest says the heavy snow and high winds caused a lot of downed trees and branches. He said there's simply no way for users to get through.
"...If people are planning to come north this weekend to get out on the trails, we encourage them to call ahead and check to see what kind of conditions they're going to encounter. Whether they're coming up for snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, A lot of the trails have been impacted by the snowstorm that we had last weekend."
Arbogast said much of the clean up work has to be done with chainsaws; by hand.
He said it will likely be weeks, if not months, before all the trails are cleared.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for parts of mid-Michigan until 11pm Monday evening. According to the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK, conditions are right for tornadoes and strong thunderstorms over the central and southwest Lower Peninsula. Dangerous lightning is also possible. A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions. Stay with CMU Public Radio throughout the evening for the latest watches, warnings and advisories. National Weather Service: Latest Warnings: http://forecast.weather.gov/hazards/grr
By Amy Robinson
A change of plans in Boyne City this weekend. It's winter festival is on what's becoming a long list of community festivals amended, or ended, by the warm winter weather.
Boyne City's Winter Fest isn't cancelled, but it is revamped and renamed, as the Slush Fest.
In lieu of cross country skiing, the event will feature a sun-tanning contest. Ice shanties that can't be put out on the thin ice of Lake Charlevoix will be hauled into the city for an Ice shanty open house.
Hugh Conklin is Boyne City's Main Street Manager. He said this was all impromptu. But he said, it looks like it might work.
I feel like Facebook, where you create something and it just builds upon itself. And I think people like to be creative and it's been really great. We certainly got a lot of publicity out of it.
Boyne City's Slush Fest will run from noon until nightfall on Saturday.
By Amy Robinson
Tuesday saw record temperatures fall around northern Michigan. New high temperatures were set in Houghton Lake, Gaylord and Traverse City.
Brian Adam is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gaylord. He said cold weather just can't seem to get a foothold this year.
"...We just have not been able to get any kind of sustained cold air outbreaks to last here in the Great Lakes and over to New England. We're certainly not alone in that. It's been a very slow start for most of the country. And we finally got some snowfall here in the last month, the month of January. But the temperatures keep, we keep seeing these major thaws and the snow that we do get, it just gets eaten up."
Adam said the winter has been dominated by a strong Pacific jet which rolls across the country from the west and pushes out cold temperatures before they have a chance to settle in.
He said with the persistent warm temperatures the Great Lakes are still ice-free. He said lack of ice on the lake will continue to fuel the lake effect snow machine in Michigan.
The mild winter is preventing the D-N-R from carrying out some of its normal winter activities.
Normally at this time of year, the D-N-R would be doing den checks to check up on hibernating bears. But not this year, said D-N-R wildlife chief Russ Mason...
"We're kind of scared to go out right now, because chances are real good that bears are just sleepy, but their not out. So we'll show up, and the bear will run off, and we're just causing more harm than good."
Mason said the D-N-R is also having trouble conducting some annual wildlife population counts...
"Snow cover is so light in the northern Lower Peninsula, we're looking at the possibility of having to delay our elk census flights because you can't see them against the leaf background. You need that snow to do an accurate census."
While the lack of snow is making his job harder, Mason said it's actually good news for most wildlife.
He expects winter mortality rates to be lower this year, compared to some winter's past.
This year's lack of snow is allowing area road commissions to catch up on what are normally summer and autumn chores.
Normally in January, road commissions are busy plowing, salting and spreading sand. But not this year.
The lack of snow is allowing them to focus their efforts on some unusual winter chores instead.
Bruce Bolen is the engineer-manager for the Iosco County Road Commission. He said his employees have been doing a lot of ditch repairs, tree trimmings and tree removals, among other things...
"One other thing that were doing a fair amount of too is actually mowing, which kind of, this time of the year, is pretty much unheard of. Usually the snow is too deep to be able to do that. We're able to get a lot of areas, like ditches and stuff, that we don't have time to get to during the summertime."
Bolen said the lack of snow has allowed Iosco County to save on equipment, fuel and salt costs, at least, until snow finally starts falling.
By Amanda Harrison
The sun might be out but snow showers are in the forecast for the upcoming weeks.
Shirley Bentsen is the communications director with the State office for Services for the Aging. She said it is important for seniors to prepare for the cold weather ahead.
She said winter weather makes seniors more vulnerable to hypothermia.
"Hypothermia is really a condition where there is a drop in a persons internal body temperature. And with age the body just becomes less able to respond to long exposures to very cold temperatures ad it can result in hypothermia which can be fatal if it is not detected or treated."
Bentsen said hypothermia can be avoided by bundling up and staying hydrated.
She says other ways to stay safe during the cold months is by getting a flu shot and keeping walkways and stairs clear of snow and slush.
The Michigan legislature is trying to avoid a repeat of last year's battle over funding for home heating assistance programs. One Mid-Michigan lawmaker wants to appropriate next winter's funding now, well before it is actually needed. Republican State Representative Ken Horn said a new round of heating assistance funds are on their way from the federal government. He wants to set that money aside and save it for next winter. "We're going to make sure that we're handing to the appropriations committee just the right plan. To take this money, put it aside, use this for next year. And every year, make that same plan again." Heating funds were held up for months this season, first because of questions about the legality of the state's previous heating assistance program. Later by legislative squabbling over how to fund a newly created program. Copyright 2010, MPRN
As the first major winter storm of the season, the Mackinac Bridge is urging travelers to slow down and use extra caution when crossing the span. Bob Sweeney is Secretary and CEO of the Mackinac Bridge. He said the bridge does not use road salt during the winter; instead, they use sand. He said that can lead to dramatically different road conditions between the I-75 and the bridge. "Take your time, don't exceed the posted limits across the bridge, and you should arrive at your destination safely," Sweeney said. Sweeney said to pay special attention when transitioning from I-75 to the Mackinac Bridge, and to be alert to changing road conditions. ON THE WEB
By David Nicholas
In Michigan you can typically count on a white Christmas, but whether or not it would be a warm Christmas for the thousands of seniors and low-income residents came down to the wire. Michigan has $90 million in a fund collected by utility companies for emergency heating assistance, but it's tied up in court.
After a pro-longed debate, a temporary solution was reached by the close of Thursday's last day of legislative session for 2011.
Work toward a longer-term solution will be on the agenda when lawmakers return to the capitol in January.
Lisa Dedden Cooper of AARP Michigan said it was critical that lawmakers step in to protect the thousands of people who rely on assistance programs during these difficult times...
"So many seniors are on a fixed income. But here in Michigan in particular, we will have the cost of heating a home fluctuate a lot. And it fluctuates because of the changes in energy costs and it fluctuates because of our weather."
State law prohibits utility companies from turning off the heat for those 65 and over from November to March, but even in those situations, seniors are still faced with paying the full amount come April.
Under the terms of the deal, there will be $58 million in funds for people this winter to help them with heating.
By Rick Pluta The Legislature has sent Governor Rick Snyder a stop-gap plan to make sure there is financial assistance for families that need help this winter with their heating bills. A court decision this past summer forced lawmakers to come up with a new plan to fund winter home-heating aid. Last winter, 600 thousand households required help. A surcharge on home and business utility bills will help fund the program through the spring as lawmakers try to design a permanent source of money for heating assistance, said state Representative Ken Horn. "We know that we need to get it done. There is a sense of urgency to solve this problem for the most-vulnerable families in Michigan." Horn said part of the plan includes reducing the size of the grant for households, which will help ensure money for home heating aid can last until spring. He says that may require families to turn to friends, relatives, or charities to make up the difference. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta At the state Capitol, House and Senate leaders said they're getting closer, but still don't have an agreement on how to help low-income families with their winter utility bills. Lawmakers continue to negotiate as the Legislature's winter break fast approaches. The Legislature's winter break begins next week. Michigan's lost its money to help many thousands of families, most of them households with children, because of a court case and federal budget cuts. House Republicans say there are still leftover federal welfare dollars to fund the program. Governor Rick Snyder and Senate Republicans say it would be wiser to save that money, and instead pay for heating assistance with a small added fee to utility bills. State Senator Mike Nofs said, either way, he expects the Legislature to settle the question before the winter break. "We all hit the same objective, keep the program going and make sure people don't freeze to death this winter." State officials said welfare agencies have enough money in hand to ensure families don't go cold in December or January. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By David Nicholas Climate change issues and impacts are again a primary focus as scientists gathered this week to convene the Climate Change Summit in Durban South Africa. To coincide with discussions there, the United Nations recently released their Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report. Dr. Steven Hamburg is the Chief Scientist for the Environmental Defense Fund. He said despite the debate over the validity of climate change, the report "confirmed what we already knew..." "We're all experiencing it, we're seeing the weird weather. Whether it be the fact that there were twice as many Major League Baseball games played this past year played at ninety-five degrees or above. You know, we've all seen it. I drove not recently through the snow storm before Halloween, you know, unusual events. And they're real, they're gonna be more of them and we've gotta start to prepare for them or they're going to have devastating effects on our lives." As the summit opened this week, the United States again refused to agree to legally binding carbon emission cuts. The U.S. is being criticized for the action, noting that while campaigning in 2008, then candidate Barack Obama pledged to "engage vigorously in the discussions." The 2009 summit in Copenhagen failed to produce any long-term binding agreement for action on climate change. Since the 1997 the United States and other countries have refused to sign on to legally binding reductions for carbon emissions set forth by the Kyoto Protocol. To read more about the report, the web site for the Environmental Defense Fund is www.edf.org
By Amanda Harrison
If it felt like the month of November was unusually warm; meteorologists say it was.
For example, Houghton Lake set a city record for the warmest temperature the day after Thanksgiving.
Nick Schwartz is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gaylord.
He said November saw above average precipitation and temperatures.
"And what was really interesting is the average temperature for the month of November has run from anywhere from 4 and a half to nearly 5 degrees above normal. Which at first glance does not appear like a lot but when you factor in that you're averaging in the day time highs and night time lows it defiantly is something to be noted."
Schwartz said he does not expect mild weather to continue this winter.
He said average temperatures and high precipitation are likely in the second half of the season.
By Laura Weber Human services advocates say the state Legislature needs to make sure people in low-income households do not have their heat turned off this winter. The federal government has proposed dramatic cuts to home-heating assistance. Susan Sherer is C-E-O of the Heat and Warmth Fund. She said families in low-income homes cannot withstand the cut. "Well the cuts are going to be just seismic for Michigan. And Michigan still I think suffers from what the rest of the country suffers from, from an economy standpoint." The state fund for home heating assistance is also caught up in a court fight and cannot be touched. Sherer and other advocates say state lawmakers need to approve a plan to keep home-heating assistance available before the Legislature breaks for the winter. Copyright 2010, MPRN
The National Weather Service is upgrading its Doppler Radar at its office in Gaylord.
The upgrade will make it easier for meteorologists to detect severe weather.
According to meteorologist John Boris, the old Doppler radar only detected precipitation on one plane. The new radar will detect it on two.
"In the old radar that we had been using over the past 15 or so years, the radar energy is sent out in a horizontal direction. In other words, the radar waves are oriented horizontally. What the dual polarization will allow us to do is to send out radar waves in both the horizontal and vertical direction."
Boris said the new dual-polarization radar technology will paint a fuller picture of what sort of precipitation is falling.
"One of the main things is it helps us determine what sorts of precipitation types we're picking up in the clouds. Such as rain versus snow; rain versus hail, which is very important for severe weather detection. It will also help us determine precipitation estimates."
Boris said the radar upgrades could be complete by the end of this week.
Seventy Consumers Energy employees from across the state are heading to the east coast to help with power restoration efforts.
They'll be helping restore power in New Jersey following an early winter storm over the weekend. At least two-point-five million people are said to be without power.
Consumers crews could remain out east for up to two weeks.
By Rick Pluta The Michigan Public Service Commission expects more people will lose heat this coming winter with the loss of state and federal money to help low-income families having trouble paying utility bills. A state home heating fund has run out of money and the federal government is expected to reduce its assistance program as the winter of 2011 and 2012 approaches. Michigan does not forbid winter shutoffs. But a state law does require utilities to offer payment plans to low-income families and seniors. Judy Palnau is with the Public Service Commission.. "Shutoffs are allowed in Michigan, but almost all the time a shutoff can be avoided." Palnau said the commission is also concerned there could be a rise in accidents, injuries, and deaths if more people resort to dangerous heating alternatives such as candles and open indoor fires, using ovens to heat a home or apartment, or using electric or kerosene heaters unsafely. © Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Amanda Harrison
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is sending Michigan firefighters to Texas to help with extreme fire conditions.
Currently a return date for firefighters is unclear. Scott Heather is with the DNR. He said the Texas fires are the worst in their history.
"Because their drought conditions are so extreme and the weather service is not forecasting any relief for them in the near future we're anticipating needing to keep staff down there for at least another two or three months."
Heather said Michigan is one of the only states that uses a fire plow. The plow fits on the back of bulldozers and has a specialized design for firefighting.
He said sending Texas help will not be an expense to the state. He said Texas will reimbursed the state for all costs.
By Amy Robinson
The 16,000 acre wildfire in Ely, Minnesota is making its presence known across the Midwest.
People hundreds of miles away are smelling of smoke and some have reported ash falling from the sky.
People in Wisconsin and Michigan have been smelling the smoke throughout the day. Some called police to report a fire that they thought was nearby, but was actually some 700 miles away.
Jeff Halblaub is with the National Weather Service Office in Gaylord, Michigan. He said the smoke plume was pushed down from the atmosphere by a cold front and is blanketing an area hundreds of miles wide.
"Everyone is getting this. We can see it in satellite imagery as long as there aren't clouds obscuring it. And this is occurring over Wisconsin and Michigan, and by the end of the day today, it will probably be over Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, at least the northern parts of those states"
Halblaub said residents in the Midwest may notice the smell of smoke from the Minnesota fire for the next couple of days.
By Laura Weber An annual report on employment in Michigan says the state is setting a new record for long-term joblessness. The report from the Michigan League for Human Services said more than half of unemployed workers between the ages of 26 and 54 looked for work for six months or longer last year. Karen Holcomb-Merrill is with the league. "Even in the 1980s recession when unemployment overall was higher, the long-term unemployment rate was much lower than it is now." Said Holcomb-Merrill. Holcomb-Merrill said people without a higher education degree had a harder time finding a job. She said that problem could be exacerbated by recent budget cuts to education funding from K-though-12 schools to higher education. The report also said even though short-term unemployment rates shrank last year, joblessness rose among African Americans. © Copyright 2010, MPRN
Residents just south of Tawas City are cleaning up after being hit by a tornado Sunday afternoon.
They had little warning a storm was approaching...
The weather service was tracking several storms that afternoon, but according to meteorologist Kevin Farina, they had no indication a tornado was about to form...
"As they moved across our counties, they really hadn't produced much. And then, it looked like just about 50 yards before the storm went into Lake Huron, it produced the tornado."
No warnings were issued by the weather service -- leaving residents with little warning before the storm hit.
Farina said no injuries were reported, and that many residents sought shelter when they noticed darkening skies...
"People saw the rain coming, and they got inside anyways. And probably because people were inside, nobody got injured."
Six houses were damaged, and about 40 trees were downed by the storm.
The tornado was on the ground for two-tenths of a mile before moving out over Lake Huron.
August is expected to be a rainy month after temperatures and dryness hit record highs in the month of July.
Temperatures in July are some of the highest we have on record.
Jim Keysor is a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Gaylord. He said despite the dryness some areas had very high humidity. He said those areas had warmer nights putting this July in the record books.
He said the dryer areas caused problems for farmers who needed the rain. He said August will not have as severe weather.
"It does not look as hot or as dry during the month of August. It looks we are going to turn wetter in the month of August at least something more close to normal, which will be good. And temperatures should be returning more close to normal as well."
Keysor said that would be highs in the 70's and lows in the 50's. With about three inches of rain for the month.
He said the July temperatures were due to poor luck. He said rain clouds traveling from Wisconsin dissipated on their way over the Great Lakes.
Despite the odd weather the state has experienced since spring, fruit and wheat crops have surpassed last year's harvest in Michigan.
Since wheat is planted in autumn, the sharply varying seasonal weather did not affect this crop as much as others.
Bob Boehm is the Manager of the Michigan Farm Bureau Commodity and Marketing Department at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
He said the wheat farmers have approved a referendum to establish the Michigan Wheat Program.
It's a self-help program where farmers vote to assess themselves a small amount for every bushel of wheat they sell. That money goes into a fund that is invested in by a group of growers appointed by the governor to administer the fund on behalf of growers across the state.
"They hope to address some of the production issues, risk issues, quality issues, and be able to keep wheat in the rotation here in Michigan. The milling industry, that we have a significant investment in here in the state, as well as the cereal and baking industries are also very supportive, very interested in keeping wheat grown in Michigan so they can buy from local sources and be able to provide those products to Michigan consumers as well as around the world."
Boehm said the Michigan Wheat Program will be in place shortly after September 1.
Another (One) group of people who
are having to face the heat head-on are fair-goers and exhibitors.
The
Tuscola county fair has had the interesting fortune of running this year during
a week long heat wave.
Beth
Rupprecht (ROOP-reck) is on the Tuscola county fair board. She said so far, so
good
"Actually things are going very well. We've purchased fans and we have
misters on the animal, so they're taking the heat as well as can be
expected. Better than many of the people
actually"
Rupprecht handles bio-security at
the fair. That means she oversees the
well being of the animals.
She said so far, they've had to
send some rabbits and chickens home due to stress, but otherwise the animals,
and exhibitors, are faring well.
A mid-summer heat wave is moving in to settle on Michigan into early next week.
Health officials will remind people to drink lots of water, and animal advocates will remind pet owners to take care of dogs and cats.
90-degree temperatures in July are nothing new in Michigan. In fact Dave Lawrence with the National Weather Service office in Gaylord says you might be surprised at how historically common they are.
"Some of our all-time record highs, in terms of high temperatures over the last hundred or so years actually occurred either this week or early next week in history. So it's kind of funny, we're talking about our first stretch of heat, but you know if we look back over the past hundred years or so, this is the time frame when we tend to see those very, very warm readings. In fact some records for Northern Michigan are between 100 and 108 degrees here over the last hundred years. So it can get very, very hot around here."
The summer
heat may be hard on construction workers and farmers, but one industry is
looking forward to a nice, hot summer; and that's tourism. Jim Baumann
is the President of the Boyne City Chamber of Commerce. "The last two summers have been pretty dry which hasn't
been good for our agriculture and hasn't been good for our lawns, but it was
great for visitors because when people come up here they want to get out and
get on their sail boats or motor boats or go swimming or go sailing and the
weather's been great for that sort of thing.
I think that's helped out numbers the last couple of years and it's looking good so far this year too"
Baumann says
travel business has been good the last couple of years in Boyne City, and this
summer, he says, is setting records.
The Chicago Yacht Club's race to Mackinac Island turned tragic this year.
Two sailors drown this morning after their 35-foot boat capsized in the middle of the night.
The fastest boats finished last night before storms swept across northern Lake Michigan.
Winds registered at higher than 50 miles per hour and waves were as high as 6 feet.
Sometime after midnight the U.S. Coast Guard received word that Wing Nuts was capsized about 10 miles east of South Fox Island.
Another boat in the area, Sociable, rescued 6 crew members.
But Mark Morley and Suzanne Bickel were not found until after 8:00 this morning.
Both were experienced sailors from Saginaw.
Morley had sailed the Chicago to Mackinac race 6 times and Bickel twice.
Melting snow and warmer days means it's time to start thinking about severe weather.
Gov. Rick Snyder has declared this week Severe Weather Awareness Week.
It's a time devoted to learning about and preparing for severe weather, said Jim Keysor, the warning cordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Gaylord.
"We really hit hard upon the concept that people need to have a plan in place well in advance," said Keysonr. "They need to know where they're going to go, where the safest location to go is."
According to Keysor, having a plan in place is especially important in northern Michigan, where shelters can be few and far between.
"This is particularly true, for example, for somebody that was living in a mobile home or was in an RV or something where they didn't feel maybe as safe," he said. "They need to have a plan of what they're going to do if severe weather striles."
Events this week include a statewide tornado drill scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Check back to wcmu.org for more on that tomorrow.
On the Web
Photo: A snowman burns last year on the campus of LSSU in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Photo courtesy of Lake Superior State University.
Setting something on fire may be one of the clearest ways of illustrating frustration with it -- so when folks at Lake Superior State University set a ten-foot snowman on fire, you can bet they're ready for winter to be on its way.
LSSU Public Relations Director Tom Pink says the snowman-burning has become quite the event.
"There's free hot dogs and pop; our student radio station is playing music. When Bill Rabe started it, there were several English professors in the group, so there was always poetry. Lately I should say there's not as much poetry as there used to be; it seems people are more shy. They just want to see the bonfire."
Pink says the snowman is generally eight to ten feet tall, made of paper and a wire frame. He says it usually burns pretty quickly.
"We try to have a little introduction at the beginning, and tell people about the history, and within a couple minutes of getting into that, there are usually some people telling us to just burn it."
Pink says the snowman has occasionally been made to resemble goalies from opposing hockey teams, and once, during the Iran Hostage Crisis, it resembled the Ayotollah -- although he says they wouldn't do that again.
He also says a German tradition inspired LSSU's celebration.
"It was started in 1971 by Bill Rabe, the same guy who came up with our list of banished words, and he and his group, the Unicorn Hunters, came up with the snowman burning. He was aware of it through a German tradition, and he thought it would fit in here, because by the time spring arrives, people around here are usually pretty sick of winter."
University presidents, retirees, and students have all gotten to light the snowman in the past. LSSU's physical plant crew builds the snowman, and experiments with different methods of igniting it -- from matches and lighters, to model-rocket engines, according to Pink.
He tells us LSSU says goodbye to winter a few days early this year, since the first day of spring actually arrives on the weekend, on Sunday.
Over a foot of snow could fall through Wednesday evening across much of the Lower Peninsula.
Blizzard warnings are in effect for Alma and Saginaw south to the Ohio and Indiana borders, including the thumb. Ten to 16 inches of snow is possible within the warning area, with the heaviest accumulations along the I-69 corridor.
Winds are also expected to pick up to between 30 and 40 mph, creating white out conditions and dangerous snow drifts.
Further north, Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for Mount Pleasant, Midland and Bay City north to Cadillac, Houghton Lake and Oscoda.
Four to ten inches could fall within the winter storm warning area, with the heaviest snowfall being concentrated along the US-10 corridor. Winds will be in the 20 to 30 mph range, causing white out conditions and snow drifts.
The heaviest snowfall is expected overnight tonight, and snow fall rates could approach 1 to 3 inches per hour. Wind chills will also be dangerously low, in the zero to -5 range.
Travel during the height of the storm is not recommended, but if you must travel, have a winter survival kit on hand. This should include extra blankets, water, food, flashlights, jumper cables, and traction agents like kitty litter or sand.
On the Web: National Weather Service - Grand Rapids - Winter Storm Page:
National Weather Service - Detroit / Flint - Winter Storm Page:
National Weather Service - Gaylord - Winter Storm Page:
Michigan State Police - Winter Road Conditions
State of Michigan - Surviving a Winter Storm
AAA Michigan - Winter Driving Tips
Over a foot of snow and near-blizzard conditions are possible across the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, according to the National Weather Service.
Winter storm watches extend from the Ohio border north to Clare, Midland and Bay City. Forecasters say over 12 inches of snow could fall between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening.
According to the NWS, "travel and commerce across the watch area may be severely impacted by heavy snow and considerable blowing and drifting snow Tuesday night and Wednesday."
It also noted that some roads could become impassible, causing highway and school closures and flight delays and cancellations.
Forecasters say blizzard conditions could also be possible over the course of the storm.
On the Web:
Travel across the Mackinac Bridge has been affected by recent high winds.
Bridge Authority Secretary Bob Sweeney says winds have occasionally topped 50 miles an hour -- calling for partial closures.
"Partial closure is for any vehicle that is towing a trailer, or has a camper attached to it, or pickup trucks that have cappers or tunnel covers on them. The rest of the vehicles can cross the bridge -- all passenger vehicles can cross the bridge, including pickups that have empty beds."
Sweeney says the Bridge Authority was escorting high-profile vehicles before enacting the partial closures.
"Any camper, pickup truck that has a cap on it, or any vehicle that's towing anything or has anything attached to it. It includes semi box trucks -- your typical 18-wheelers -- that have high sides on them, as well."
Officials say the number of drivers requesting escorts has gone up because of the winds.
The Bridge Authority is asking that travelers drive no faster than 20 miles an hour across the bridge during windy conditions. Officials say the wind has caused the number of drivers crossing the bridge to dip a little.
Sweeney points out that travel across the bridge is safe. The only accidents caused by the wind have been a couple instances where awnings on campers or RV's fell open.
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources and Environment has a turbine at their Saginaw Bay district office. Jeanine Stone-Wallace, with the DNRE, says their turbine operates only within a certain range of wind speeds.
"It turns on automatically at eight mile-per-hour winds or over, and shuts down automatically at 50 mile-per-hour winds."
Most wind turbines automatically shut down if wind reaches more than 50 miles per hour, says Bruce Frost, an instructor at Central Michigan University. Frost says current wind turbine construction can't handle wind speeds faster than that.
"Because of the design now, where it is a direct-drive gear, it typically has to shut down, because it would be like driving your car in first gear. And once you got to approximately fifty miles an hour, it would be too fast a spin. And so you'd have to shift into second gear, or you'd have to stop with your car. Same thing with a wind turbine."
Frost says the next generation of wind turbines will eliminate that problem.
"The new generation of wind turbines is going to take the heavy part off the pedestal and put it on the ground, where it belongs, using a differential to convert the power. And again, the addition of a mechanism that will work like a transmission -- so we'll have first, second, third, fourth gear. If we did have wind speeds at fifty miles per hour of sustainable wind, we'd have a piece of equipment that in fourth or fifth gear, would accommodate that type of speed."
Frost says there's a chance, too, that high winds could cause turbine blades to waver and strike their tower.
He says current turbines operate at about fifteen percent efficiency, but he expects that to improve substantially in the future.
St. Louis Public Schools in Gratiot County will dismiss students early today, in anticipation of severe weather. Superintendent Joann Spry says she doesn't want students to be on their way home this afternoon, when conditions get worse.
"There's travel advisories for high-profile vehicles, which would include school buses. And with the high winds, there's the danger of downed power lines and flying objects. And we want to make sure that our students are home, safe and sound with their families, prior to the arrival of any severe wind and weather conditions."
Spry says whether or not St. Louis schools are on schedule tomorrow depends on how the weather develops through tonight.
CMU Public Radio will continue to update you on severe weather as it develops across the listening area.
Flash floods left parts of Mount Pleasant under several feet of water last night.
High water left Mission Street, the main road through town, virtually impassible last night, following several hours of heavy rain fall.
And at Central Michigan Community Hospital, just a few blocks away, firefighters were seen sandbagging entrances, trying to keep the flood waters out.
Hospital officials were only accepting emergency patients into the late evening because of the high water.
According to radar estimates, two to four inches of rain fell across the area in about two hours time. Flash flood warnings were posted for both Isabella and Midland counties.
Two large wildfires continue to burn this morning in northern Michigan, near Roscommon. Both fires errupted yesterday afternoon, and quickly spread through Jack Pine forest, the habitat that is home to the rare Kirtland's Warbler. The larger fire, dubbed the "Meridian Boundary" fire, has bured 7,500 acres, said Ada Tackus with the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment. She said such a large fire is rare in Michigan. "95 percent of fires in Michigan are generally held under 100 acres. And this one was 100 acres in the first hour. So that kind of tells you how quick it grew, it was in Jack Pine country and Jack Pine burns quicker than a lot of fuels," said Tackus. Firefighters built firelines around 16 miles of the fire overnight. The focus now turns to a one-mile gap in the lines on the southwest edge of the fire. Fire managers estimate 10 structures have been destroyed or damaged so far. Numerous evacuations remain in effect in the area.
If you found yourself muttering about the chilly weather last month, and glad that summer finally feels like it, you may be interested to know that numbers from the meteorologists back up your suspicion that this was a ridiculously cool July.
Meteorologists say the upper Midwest saw record setting cool weather last month.
Kevin Sullivan is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gaylord.
He has some numbers to ponder.
"We have a number of sites, Traverse City for instance, their mean temperature for the month of July is 64.1 degrees, and they actually were 5 and a half degrees below normal for the month of July. Houghton Lake had their top coolest July since 1917. Their average temperature for the month was 62 degrees which is 4.7 degrees below normal. And Gaylord much the same, it was their coldest summer on record since 1950, they were 61.3 degrees and that's 6.2 below average."
Sullivan says the next couple of weeks show temperatures in the normal range. With the heat perhaps extending into September
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the southern half of the Lower Peninsula until 10 p.m. Thursday evening. According to the weather service, thunderstorm wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour, hail up to two inches in diameter and dangerous lightning are possible. The watch includes the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Montcalm, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Tuscola, Van Buren, Wastenaw, and Wayne. Related information: The National Weather Service - www.weather.gov
There is a slight chance of severe thunderstorms across most of the Lower Peninsula today, according to the National Weather Service. In southwest Michigan, the greatest threat is from late morning through mid-afternoon. Damaging winds and large hail are possible, and isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. The storm threat then moves further east, affecting the Saginaw Bay region and southeast Michigan between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Winds in the strongest storms could approach 70 miles per hour, and large hail and isolated tornadoes are also possible. Storms are also possible today for the northern Lower Peninsula, mostly south of a line from Manistee to Grayling to Alpena. Winds of 60 miles per hour and large hail are possible with these storms. Related link: National Weather Service - www.weather.gov
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