Getting started on the lakes: 3 years later

[garyfdl]

Originally Posted by 4eyes

We got a couple of nights at -10 (wind chill -20) last week. It happens every 25-30 years.
I can't see why anyone would live where it and worse is a regular occurrence.

It builds character and keeps out the riff-raff.

[vladkri]

Perhaps to close off this subject, another summer has gone by in a flash. Reality is, one good cruise per summer is all that we get on the lakes. Factoring in bad weather, often not even that. Total lack of wind is also bad weather. To re-iterate the original idea, it just does not work. And if you end up being stuck on the lakes, a power boat is probably much better choice than sail.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Not this year.
Despite a recent surge, Great Lakes ice coverage is well below average, this winter. Ice coverage is currently at almost 38 per cent, below the average of 53 per cent.

Ice forecasts for the Great Lakes issued by Environment Canada at 12:00 p.m. EST Wednesday 24 February 2021 for today tonight and Thursday.
Western Lake Ontario:
Open water except 1 tenth thin lake ice along parts of the southern
shore.
Eastern Lake Ontario:
Open water except 9 tenths thin lake ice including 2 tenths medium
lake ice in the extreme northeastern section. Consolidated medium
lake ice in most sheltered bays in the northeastern section.
More ➥ https://iceweb1.cis.ec.gc.ca/Prod/page3.xhtml

Remember, all five were frozen over 100% two years in a row about only ten years ago. That was the time the last wolf walked from Isle Royal to Canada and was promptly shot. Midwest seasonal variations are legend. I grew up in central lower Michigan and sailed the Great Lakes for 50 years. I have photos of big fat snowflakes falling in the boat yard in JUNE! I was there to do bottom paint. We have seen water level down 4-1/2 feet and up 2 in only two years. This is a 53 year cycle. I witnessed it as a kid when our lake was 100 yards out. We are Summering at this moment near Traverse City, Michigan for the Caribbean hurricane season. It’s been cold as that proverbial part of the witch’s torso. Temperatures max in the low 80s, usually less. I grew up here with normal summers regularly banging 100-104. My brother lives in Marquette. They recently had a cold spring where the HS kids were paddling ice floes with SUP paddles - barefoot in bathing suits in June. In this part of the world we call it weather. In the Michigan UP they call summer three months of bad sledding.