UP average warmer than WI

[dogflog]

Hi John,

Last year my wife and I decided to stay in St. Germain WI for one of our snowmobile trips (we always go to Greenland MI at least once or twice). It was early February and the temperature range was -28 to +10 all week. When I looked at the regional weather, I noticed it wasn't getting as cold in Greenland.

Ah ha! Maybe the same forces that provide lake-effect snow to the UP also produce lake-effect clouds, which form a night-time blanket, which keeps the temperature more moderate. I checked weather.com and found that Greenland MI is actually 5-6 degrees warmer (on average) in DEC/JAN/FEB than St. Germain WI.

The average temperatures don't seem to be in question, but what is the explanation, since St. Germain is 75-100 miles further south?

Thanks & Happy Trails,

Glenn
Elburn IL

 

[HardwaterHoosier]

looks to be a zone warmer, 3b to 4b

the same thing on the south tip of lake michigan, 5a to 5b

 

[jd]

The big lake has everything to do with it. Both in providing clouds that insulate and keep what heat there is from radiating to space and also for keeping temps warmer all on it's own.

I know during an arctic air outbreak I will see temps in N. WI 25-30 degrees colder than here in the Keweenaw, plus it will be snowing to beat the band here too!

-John

 

[dogflog]

Thanks, John!

Since this activity is so weather dependent, it helps to understand the science for successful planning.

Happy Trails,
Glenn

 

[hemi_newman]

hardwood hoosier can you post a bigger image of the map you posted?

 

[HardwaterHoosier]

hardwood hoosier can you post a bigger image of the map you posted?

USDA just updated the map, some zones are shifting north