Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
A SNOWMOBILER checks out progress on snow-blowing machines going strong at Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort on Tuesday in Bessemer Township. The resort reported even before the Thanksgiving storm that its staff has been working 24 hours a day to make snow for the new season. In the past week, Mother Nature also has been providing enough of a boost to create excitement among local ski hill and trail managers.
By PAMELA JANSSON
GOGEBIC RANGE - A five-day Thanksgiving weekend storm brought about 16.75 inches of snow to the Northwoods, with the actual number varying greatly in the immediate region and throughout the U.P.
That was the estimate of Lily Chapman, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, which is affiliated with Marquette but stationed in Negaunee.
Chapman, who spoke to The Globe by phone on Tuesday evening, said the storm period from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 had widely differing results with areas inland and of lower elevation getting significantly less snow in general.
"That higher terrain really helps out," she emphasized.
Hence, she said the Watersmeet area received only about four inches of snow, whereas areas east of there had considerably more.
"The eastern U.P. definitely won out," said Chapman. "McMillan (Township in Luce County) was the highest at 40 inches. Munising (in Alger County) got 35."
She added that Houghton County also got about two feet of snow.
As for the cause of the storm and why it lingered as long as it did, Chapman said, "We just kind of got stuck under northwesterly flow for several days."
She said that "pretty chilly air over Lake Superior" intersected with the warmer (by comparison) water.
She laughed at describing the lake as such, given that it is known for being notoriously cold even in summer, but assured it was "warm enough."
In relation to the air above lake water, she said, "You need a good temperature difference, generally at least 12 degrees" to "kick up" lake-effect snow.
Chapman said the immediate forecast was expected to include another "pretty strong northwest flow" at least into tonight.
"We could be looking at pretty significant accumulations again," she said, adding that the area could result with another foot by tonight.
Gogebic Area Grooming, a snowmobile club serving the Lake Gogebic area, was the only club to send out an official email report, stating on Dec. 2: "Trails are open and groomers are out opening gates, setting trails, clearing debris and hazards, and filling water holes with snow and assessing swamps. Once all trails have been set, groomers will begin packing and panning to create a base and then the grooming will start with mother nature cooperating, of course."
By Dec. 13, the club was reporting the status of specific trails that it serves.
Meanwhile, the North Country Snowmobile Club, which serves trails in Ontonagon, reported by Facebook on Nov. 30 that snow had "blanketed" its region.
"We're thrilled to share that some of the local snowmobile clubs are hard at work and has plans to begin setting the trails starting next week," the report said before adding a reminder: "During this critical trail-setting phase, we kindly ask all snowmobilers to hold off from using the trails until they're officially ready. Riding on the trails too soon can make it challenging for the grooming process and affect the quality of the trails for the months to come. Let's work together to kick off this season right."
The U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club in the Watersmeet area reported on Dec. 1: "If you do choose to ride, use extreme caution. You will encounter water holes, unfrozen swamp debris and closed gates. Think snow and ride safely. Groomers are ready and waiting. We have between four and six inches of snow on the ground as of Sunday morning. We will put out a post when we do go out with groomers to start panning our trails. Fingers crossed it could be by the weekend."
The Gogebic Range Trail Authority, a snowmobile club that addresses more than 100 miles in this county, stated on Dec. 1 that its volunteers rolled Trail 2 from Ironwood to Marenisco and Trail 8 to Trail 11 and back to Trail 2, with varying snow depth.
The report added, "Across all trails there are still exposed rocks and wet spots. At this time we do not recommend riding. We will keep you updated as trail conditions improve."
Two snowmobile clubs in Iron County - the Mercer Sno-Goers and the Thunder Riders - were not indicating any trail activity as of Tuesday. Nor was the Iron County Forestry and Parks Department.
The Sno-Goers did request of "our friends across the state line" on Dec. 1 via social media: "Please just be patient," adding that better conditions are expected soon. "Let this cold weather freeze things up and more snow to hit the ground," the message advised.
As for the ski hills, they are mostly working toward an opening, with only Snowriver Mountain Resort - which has both Jackson Creek Summit in Wakefield Township and Black River Basin in Bessemer Township - announcing plans to open Friday: "We're beyond pumped for the start of this season."
Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort, which lies almost entirely in Bessemer Township with only a small amount of unused land in Ironwood Township, has been busy making snow since before Thanksgiving.
"From here on out, our snowmaking crew will be working round the clock, putting in some long days in harsh conditions," its Facebook page stated. "Hats off to the tough individuals that make it happen and meet the challenges and obstacles before them for the sake of winter adventures."
Ontonagon County has two formal ski sites - the Porkies Ski Hill and the Greenhill Ski Hill - that both rely solely on natural snow, meaning that they each were open only a handful of days during the past year's unusually balmy season.
On Monday, the Porkies staff posted on its Facebook page that they had measured seven to 12 inches of snow. "This is nearly half the snow that we received all last season!" stated the post, adding, "Excited is an understatement."
Whitecap Mountains Resort in Upson, Wisconsin, had not yet announced plans to open as of press time, and Mt. Zion Ski Hill on the campus of Gogebic Community College in Ironwood had stated weeks ago that it was aiming for a Dec. 20 opening.
As for the season at large, Chapman - with the NWS, which is under the arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - was confident in predicting "above normal precipitation"
Said the jury is still out in relation to how warm or cold the winter will be.
Her advice, meanwhile, is this: "Slow down. Give yourself some extra time going to work."
