How does Lake Michigan affect weather?

The weather in each season in West Michigan is influence by Lake Michigan. Increased summer sunshine warms the water on the lakes surface making it lighter than the colder water below. The release of the heat stored in the lakes moderates the climate near the shore in the fall and winter months.

Is Lake Michigan affected by climate change?

Climate Change Has Reached the Very Bottom of Lake Michigan, New Study Says. When it comes to what scientists know about the effects of climate change on the Great Lakes, research to date has only scratched the surface.

Is Lake Michigan getting warmer?

But for Wisconsinites, there are also impacts much closer to home: Water in Lake Michigan has been steadily getting warmer in recent decades, even deep below the surface, according to a recent study by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researchers.

How do the Great Lakes affect temperature?

The Great Lakes modify the local weather and climate. Because water temperatures change more slowly than land temperatures, lake waters gain heat in summer and release heat during cooler months. This results in cooler springs, warmer falls, delayed frosts and lake-effect snow.

Are there sharks in Lake Michigan?

Scientifically, NO sharks have been documented in Lake Michigan. Now, there is always more to the story than the simple one word answer. Across the Great Lakes region, “unofficial” shark sightings seem to emerge every year. These sightings are usually proven to be a hoax.

Why is Lake Michigan so cold?

The northerly wind produces a condition called upwelling. In upwelling, the north wind pushes the warmer surface water out into Lake Michigan, and pulls much colder water up to the surface at the shoreline.

What will Michigan look like in 2050?

Michigan is projected to see a five-fold increase in heat wave days by 2050. By 2050, the severity of widespread summer drought is projected to triple in Michigan. This would result in a severity index greater than Texas’ current threat from widespread summer drought.

Do lakes make it colder?

Winter: There is less radiation from the sun, generally making temperatures cooler. That means the lakes are warmer than the air. However, the lakes become heat sources, giving up their energy to the atmosphere throughout the winter. Spring: The water stays cool longer than the air and land.

Will climate change caused the great lakes to rise?

The Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments, a NOAA-funded center in Ann Arbor, projects that Great Lakes states’ temperatures will increase by 3.6 to 11.2 degrees by 2100. Warmer weather is producing more atmospheric moisture in the region.

Are there any predators in Lake Michigan?

While those are highly unlikely, there are some dangerous creatures that have been – and can possibly be – in that lake. The chances of encountering one of these things may be extremely low, but it is possible. Unconfirmed reports of Bull Sharks caught in Lake Michigan have been around since the 1950’s.

Has anyone been attacked by a shark in Lake Michigan?

The Shark Research Institute sent us the names of the two people involved in the Lake Michigan shark attack; the victim, a boy named George Lawson, and the rescuer, John Adler.

Are there any sharks in Lake Michigan?

What’s the current water temperature in Lake Michigan?

Water temperature throughout Lake Michigan is not yet warm enough for swimming and does not exceed 68°F. The warmest water temperature in Lake Michigan today is 55°F (Green Bay), and the coldest temperature is 41.2°F (Leland).

How are high water levels affecting Lake Michigan?

High water levels on Lake Michigan this summer have been freaking people out. They’ve battered the Chicago shoreline, submerged walking paths and swallowed up whole beaches around the lake. They also inspired one anonymous Curious Citizen to ask: How will climate change affect Lake Michigan water levels?

How are dissolved oxygen and temperature related to lake productivity?

Dissolved oxygen and temperature are two fundamental measurements of lake productivity. The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water is an important indicator of overall lake health. This figure shows how lakes over 30 feet deep can be divided into three layers during the summer.

How does the thermocline affect dissolved oxygen in lakes?

The physical and chemical changes within these layers influence the cycling of nutrients and other elements within the lake. During summer stratification the thermocline prevents dissolved oxygen produced by plant photosynthesis in the warm waters of the well-lit epilimnion from reaching the cold dark hypolimnion waters.