Could something like the Blizzard of 1977 (western NY and Ontario) happen in the UP?

[matti]

Hi John. I was reading about the Blizzard of 1977 that affected shoreline areas of Lake Erie (Buffalo, NY, for example). Very little new snow fell during the blizzard and, if I understand correctly, the blizzard was made up almost entirely of snow that had been picked up off of a frozen Lake Erie. Drifts up to 30' were recorded, according to the storm's Wikipedia page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_of_1977

Have you heard of something of this magnitude along the shoreline portions of the UP or Wisconsin?

Thanks.

 

[jd]

Hi Matti

It sure could, although it is pretty rare for Lake Superior to freeze over completely and when it does, it usually happens towards the latter parts of the winter and usually does not stay completely froze over for too long. So the potential for snows to be able to fall and accumulate on the ice to a depth considerable enough to create the type of blowing and drifting they had in that blizzard would be low, but certainly not impossible.

Fascinating article on the storm. Wonder what they would blame a winter like that year and a storm like that one on these days?!

-John

 

[sledboy482]

John,
Of course it would be caused by mankind riding snowmobiles causing global warming. Or climate change -whatever they would be calling it at the time.