Ice Conditions, Weather Reports, and More!

Prognosticators hit the mark on this one. Whiteout conditions earlier this morning resulted in 9 inches of heavy snow accumulation. Of course, that’s not an even blanket covering the ice. Drifts are up to a couple of feet deep and feel like riding waves. There’s no slush yet on the Bay, with the exception of…

A day of sunshine with temperatures reaching 33° on Little Bay de Noc provided optimal ice and weather conditions. It was a little breezy, but this is definitely the calm before the storm. From tonight through Sunday, it will be interesting to see if the predictions of a historic dumping of snow actually occur. Accumulating…

The first of several weather systems came through today, leaving a dismal amount of snow. Ice remains rock hard and can only get better, with teens as the low tonight. Friday is the next snow event, calling for 7-8 inches, and Sunday is expected to bring 11-13 inches. Then there’s even more anticipated for Monday.…

I’m always in awe of how the ice changes, especially when it happens quickly. It shrinks and expands with fluctuating temperatures, while powerful winds push acres, if not square miles, of ice. The tributaries that empty into the bay are flowing strong, steadily carving into the ice above. Without question, the bay is alive! Yesterday’s…

A major meltdown occurs when temperatures warm up to 57°. The real feel was 51°, and was even a few degrees less out on the ice. The wet, reflective ice bounced the sun’s rays right up. Sunscreen and eye shades were essential to avoid squinting and burning your face. If you peeled the layers down…

Traveling out at sunrise entailed breaking through a quarter-inch of skim ice on the puddles, echoing the sounds of tiny shards of ice across the slick surface, like a bag of spilled marbles. Bright sunshine and 54°F melted the thin layer by sunset, and that’s the way it’s going to stay, with temperatures above 40°F…

Free Under Flush A little over half an inch of rain fell overnight on the Bay, turning some puddles into ponds, but not many. A noticeable increase in currents has been observed over the last several days. The rain, combined with warmer temperatures melting the U.P.’s hearty accumulated snowpack, has caused tributaries to move large…

Navigation tools were essential throughout the day as visibility fluctuated from bad to worse. The Red Gate Ice access is wet, with moderate to heavy traffic and nobody getting stuck. The snow cover has diminished quickly and will be completely gone soon. The further south you go on the Bay, the denser the fog becomes.…

Another perfect day for anglers basking in the sun, eagerly waiting for the impending front. Enormous numbers of walleye are staging in the bay for their spring spawning ritual. Anglers are ready and hopeful that this weather system will trigger some aggressive feeding. Snow on the ice could be compromised by rain Friday night; that…