Winter arrives

Gymnastic squirrel

The 24-hr. forecast from Sunday-Monday night included 30 to 40 mph winds with gusts to around 50 mph driving 14-18 ft. waves on the lake & 3-10 inches of lake-effect snow dumped on West Michigan. All of which sounded very impressive, really stunning for early December, despite the Thanksgiving snow. Some part of me was even awed at the thought of seeing 18 ft. waves breaking on the lakeshore (surf that size only comes from the ocean, right?). But the forecast was a lot worse than the actuality, at least up here. Turns out, the worst of it struck south of us (see stats), and while we did get some pretty busy winds Sunday night, only about an inch of snow fell. Nevertheless, the temperature hasn't climbed out of the 20s today...and my feeders have seen many visitors, expected & unexpected (see photo), during the last 2 days.

{Click here to see more photos}

National Weather Service Public Information Statement
151 PM EST Tue Dec 14 2004

Here are some various reports associated with the storm from Sun Dec 12 to Mon Dec 13:

Michigan City ― highest sustained wind, 47 mph; peak wind speed, 64 mph.

Muskegon ― highest sustained wind, 46 mph; peak wind speed, 58 mph.

South Haven ― highest sustained wind 46 mph; peak wind speed, 55 mph.

Oceana County, 6 miles south of Little Sable Point ― peak wind speed, 61 mph; beach erosion occurred.

Muskegon County, Muskegon Lake ― a barge broke loose during the storm and came ashore; no damage reported.

Mason County, Pere Marquette Lake ― an Indian fishing vessel broke loose during the storm and came ashore; no damage reported.

Coast Guard from St Joseph, Michigan ― highest waves, 12 to 14 feet at St Joseph.