News Release

Winter Weather Training 101

Date: October 3, 2017

With one of the most active winter weather seasons in the United States, residents of northern Michigan have to be prepared for changing and sometimes severe winter weather. Michigan is one of the few states in the country that experiences lake effect snow. Lake effect snow occurs when cold air crosses the still relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes, picking up moisture and depositing it over northern Michigan. With the lakes unfrozen for much of the winter, the lake effect snow machine creates staggering snowfall totals of more than 15 feet in some locations. This makes northern Michigan a unique and challenging location for winter weather, for both residents and weather forecaster.

If you are interested in learning more about winter weather in the Great Lakes, you are encouraged to attend this FREE presentation by meteorologists from the National Weather Service (NWS). The class is open to everyone and will last approximately 90 minutes. Join them on Thursday, October 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, 9922 Front Street (M-72), Empire, Michigan 49630.

Topics covered this year will include

• Winter precipitation types. How does snow, freezing rain, and sleet occur?
• Snow measurement and reporting.
• NWS winter product changes and simplification.
• A look back at the winter of 2016-2017.
• Winter outlook for this year.
•  Winter folklore.

To see a complete listing of upcoming NWS weather related talks and locations, please visit the NWS Gaylord outreach page at http://www.weather.gov/apx/outreach_events. You may also call the NWS office with any questions at 989-731-3384.