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How to Melt Five Inches of Ice in Five Days

Global warming?...El Nina?...Year ending with an "8"...what ever! I should not be able to fish from the end of my dock on January 9, 2008. Nope, I did not have to chop a hole or even skim ice. Just baited the hook with a couple of wax worms, drop it into the water, and pull out Blue Gill.

                                                                      November 2007 Oakland County (Pontiac) Temperatures
This has been a very unusual winter in southeastern Michigan. From the middle of November through the middle of December, we actually had snow on the ground. Then just before Christmas, temperatures began to moderate and most of the snow melted.
                                                                     December 2007 Oakland County (Pontiac) Temperatures

The middle of January is normally southeastern Michigan's coldest month with an average high temperature of only 25 degrees F. The last 5 days have been in the mid 50's to low 60's with about 2 inches of rain.
That was after more than 13 inches January 2008 Oakland County (Pontiac) Temperatures
of snow the weekend before.

If you're considering moving to southeastern Michigan, Oakland County, my neighborhood in White Lake Twp, or anywhere in North America, take a moment to review temperature, wind, and precipitation history on http://weatherunderground.com. Their history goes back to 1996 and includes daily, weekly, monthly, or custom histories up to a year in length.

For all you ice fishermen, ice conditions are definately unsafe throught southeastern Michigan. More up to date information about fishing and ice conditions throughout Michigan is available on the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Weekly Fishing Report.

Posted by Gary Smith on 01/09/2008 08:47 PM

Comments (14)

pontiac michigan, oakland county michigan, michigan fishing report, weather

This post has been included in Michigan Information Oakland County, MI Information White Lake, MI Information

14 Comments on How to Melt Five Inches of Ice in Five Days

JAN

2008

WOW! Gary, that's incredible. Speechless...

Gary, thanks for the email from Trulia, I have been too busy to respond. But, I do appreciate it. I will be showing her the house this week. Second, I have lived here 26 years and never seen not one but 2 melt downs in Michigan. It is the weirdest winter in my life living here. I knew it was weird, when I looked at someones weather map on activerain the other morning and it was 49 in LA and 56 in Michigan.

Stephanie, I'm used to weather changing in Michigan. And, we usually have a "January thaw" but this is rediculous.

Missy, Glad you were able to work with the person in Saline. Hope it works out. What will Britney and company do if its that cool in LA?

JAN

2008

Oh my goodness, I'll be visiting in summer...

without being technical about it just live in michigan and you can melt 2 feet of snow, and ice in about a day,,,

Terrylynn: The "Old Farmers Almanac" had information about all the strange weather that happened in years ending with an "8". I hope they're wrong about this year.

Rick, In the UP, snow melts this fast in the spring. I'm just amazed how fast the ice melted creating unsafe conditions. My neighbor maintains an ice rink area for his kids and was spraying the area down every night with a hose. That area was still opaque yesterday.

Its crazy up here in TC also. Snow is expected tonight!

Michael, I hope they can still have Tip-up-Town USA on Houghton Lake. Rain/snow expected tonight here.

I don't mind a little snow, here and there. The last 5 years, have been no different. Maybe its, God. Lu

Gary, thats scary stuff. If anyone is paying attention to the national weather, this year is totally out of whack. Are we going to see this as normal from now on? I'd say yes!

Lu, Yes, my first year in southern Michigan was in 1979. I couldn't believe how little snow there was and that you could see grass most of the winter. I was used to plowing the lawn to park additional cars, couldn't park on the street.

Terry, There was a local business that would purchase your snowblower if the area didn't get 48 inches of snow total during the winter, that changed to 36 inches and now has been discontinued.

Yes, weather will continue fluctuating. At least we got some precipitation, now perhaps its Georgia's turn.

JAN

2008

Gary, I forgot to mention, re: your "un-ice fishing" that if all goes as predicted, in 5-7 years my inland Florida property will either be ocean front or another reef for the fish!

Terry, winter is starting to return. Forecast is for 15 degree high a few days from now. Sorry to hear forcast for your area.

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