Michigan Snowfall Statistics: First 1- / 3- / 6- / 12- Inch Depths
Authors
Strommen, N. D.
Issue Date
2014-05-29
Type
Technical Report
Language
en_US
Subject
Michigan Snowfall , Snowfall Statistics , Michigan Department of Agriculture , Michigan Weather Service , ESSA - Weather Bureau , United States Department of Commerce , Agricultural Engineering Department Michigan State University , June 1968
Alternative Title
Abstract
Early season snowfall often creates special problems when
preparations for the winter season have not been completed.
The first snowfall of the season for Michigan, on the average,
arrives five weeks earlier in the western section of the Upper
Peninsula than it does in the southeastern portion of the
Lower Peninsula. Preparations for the winter snow season may
take only a few minutes for some types of activity while others
may need three to four weeks. The importance of being prepared
is directly related to the influence which an activity may have
to the smooth operation of a community. The snow removal program
is an activity which must be prepared for action when that
first substantial snowfall occurs. Snow removal must operate
smoothly to avoid snarling the traffic of everyday activities.
Winter sports and recreational facilities are an example
of an operation which requires a substantial period of preparation.
Uncompleted preparations, however, only represent a loss
to the operator and do not interfere with the smooth operation
of everyday activities. Other activities, such as advertising,
depend on timeliness for success. These people must plan well
in advance so that their product release coincides with the
changing seasons. Certain types of outdoor construction work
will be scheduled so that it can be completed before inclimate
weather sets in. Frost and frost depth penetration are closely
related to the snow cover depth. Insect survival is generally
much higher in areas with an abundant early snow cover.
Because of the large time variations between the western Upper
Peninsula and the southeastern Lower Peninsula in the threshold
dates for various snow depths, the timely completion of
preparations for winter vary widely in Michigan.
Data presented in this publication are designed to provide
helpful information for planning the timely completion of winter
preparedness operations. These data also point out vividly the
effect that certain topographic features in Michigan have on
winter snowfall patterns and the influence of the surrounding
Great Lakes.
Description
Partial OCR done. 34 pages total.