Lake Michigan to hit lowest water levels on record
Posted:
Updated:
By Tammie Souza, FOX 32 News Weekend Meteorologist - bio | email
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
This year's drought is now having an effect on the Great Lakes water supply.
In December, Lake Michigan is expected to tie 1964's record low water levels and by late winter and early spring 2013 the lake level is expected to set new record lows.
In September, the average lake level was at 576.97 feet which had dropped 4 inches since August and was 11 inches lower that last September. Rainfall on the big lake was only at 74% of average in September. That lack of rain and runoff into the lake contributed to already low levels.
In addition, the warmer than normal winter and spring of 2012 plus record heat through the summer has led to rapid evaporation. During the winter, ice pack on the lake keeps evaporation down, but the lake has not frozen over completely since the late 1970s. All of the individual Great Lakes are experiencing well below average water levels.
Tuesday, January 22 2013 2:26 PM EST2013-01-22 19:26:59 GMT
Chicago ended an impressive 711 day streak without a sub-zero temperature Tuesday morning. That is the 4th longest such stretch since records began in 1871.
Chicago ended an impressive 711 day streak without a sub-zero temperature Tuesday morning. That is the 4th longest such stretch since records began in 1871.
Friday, January 18 2013 11:18 PM EST2013-01-19 04:18:05 GMT
Frigid Arctic air has been pent up across the Hudson Bay area for several weeks now stuck under the influence a strong polar area of low pressure also known as the "polar vortex."
Frigid Arctic air has been pent up across the Hudson Bay area for several weeks now stuck under the influence a strong polar area of low pressure also known as the "polar vortex."
Friday, January 18 2013 3:41 PM EST2013-01-18 20:41:23 GMT
The U.S. drought of 2012 is considered the worst since the 1950s, but there appears to be some brief relief.
The U.S. drought of 2012 is considered the worst since the 1950s, but there appears to be some brief relief thanks to recent soaking rains stretching from the south through the southeast and the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic states.
Monday, December 3 2012 7:18 PM EST2012-12-04 00:18:16 GMT
Warm, moist air streamed into the Chicago area today and although we were blanketed in fog and clouds, the temperatures soared to record highs between 68 and 72 degrees.
Warm, moist air streamed into the Chicago area today and although we were blanketed in fog and clouds, the temperatures soared to record highs between 68 and 72 degrees.
