[313Weather]

Originally Posted by sues1

I don't want it, i'm loving this season already, if you guys get it, we get it eventually here in PA, do not want it.

The snow's fine as long as I don't have to drive in it, it's the cloudy skies and the cold that I dislike.

[313Weather]

Originally Posted by irongrl

Coming from Iowa, the cloudy winters are hard to take

The Iowa winters are harsh, but it seems to be much cloudier here.

I'm pretty sure Michigan is the cloudiest state in the country outside the Pacific NW.

Detroit is probably the cloudiest city besides Seattle and Portland.

A major reason for this (even if the pattern isn't active) is because of the lakes. Besides Lake Effect Snow, you can also get Lake Effect Clouds. They form when you have cold air pass over the lakes and the warm air from the lakes rises into the cold air.

[SnowPrincess]

Originally Posted by irongrl

Coming from Iowa, the cloudy winters are hard to take

The Iowa winters are harsh, but it seems to be much cloudier here.

According to Bill Bryson, Iowa is 6 months of cold weather followed by 6 months of heat.

[michmoldman]

Its either no Great Lakes and have sunnier..colder winter days, or have the lakes and have snow, and a bit milder days..but more clouds. Sorry...but its no contest...I'll take the Great Lakes any time! Sure the days are cloudier..but thats what you get for living in the best state in the country.

[SnowPrincess]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

Its either no Great Lakes and have sunnier..colder winter days, or have the lakes and have snow, and a bit milder days..but more clouds. Sorry...but its no contest...I'll take the Great Lakes any time! Sure the days are cloudier..but thats what you get for living in the best state in the country.

Oh I love the lakes, I've lived by big water my whole life. Without the lakes I never would have gotten one of my favorite shots curtesy of the windstorms.


I can't get an image to post here.

[sinful71]

let it snow let it snow let it snow. northern lower michigan needs snow. i am a long time yooper now a troll. i miss snow!

[michigan83]

Originally Posted by 313Weather

I'm pretty sure Michigan is the cloudiest state in the country outside the Pacific NW.

Detroit is probably the cloudiest city besides Seattle and Portland.

A major reason for this (even if the pattern isn't active) is because of the lakes. Besides Lake Effect Snow, you can also get Lake Effect Clouds. They form when you have cold air pass over the lakes and the warm air from the lakes rises into the cold air.

I think that is one of the most frustrating things about Michigan weather. Especially in the spring and fall, we will have beautiful, sunny mornings, but I just KNOW what is going to happen as the day progresses and the wind picks up. Sure enough, the lake-effect clouds will start rolling in almost every time.

I think Detroit would be the worst of both worlds, though. Detroit gets the cloud cover that is caused by the lakes, but not the snowfall. If I am going to live in a place that is frozen and cloudy, I would much rather get the lake effect snow! It makes winter much more interesting and much less depressing, IMO.

[SnowPrincess]

The afternoon cloud thing is frustrating. I love to do photos in that same time and almost always the clouds roll in and block my beautiful light.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

The weather is hitting the West Coast. You'll dread it when the jet stream swings your way. Probably within a few days.

[wagonman76]

I think we are on track so far. We got our one small temporary snow before Halloween like we always get. And off and on snow since then like usual with temps hovering around freezing. Had a couple inches at home but 9 and 10 news showed some footage of some places around here that got near 10 inches. Some light snow yesterday. If it keeps on track, full blown winter will set in fast during the 1st or 2nd week of December.

Last winter was pretty lacking for snow in these parts. Was certainly cold enough, but all the storms missed us while downstate kept getting hammered. Haven't used the snowplow since January. One of the times I rolled into work into a clear dry parking lot with the car looking like a snow/ice brick, found out I was dragging a brake line encased in a red brick sized block of ice, having had to wait out the storm in Cadillac for a few hours earlier that night cause I couldn't see to go 20 on the freeway. Everybody asking me where the heck all that came from since up north didn't see a single flake. I think that was the night of the 50 car pileup near Stanwood last winter.