NOAA to Hold Weather Seminar at Grand View Hospital

MARQUETTE, MI - Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - With one of the most weather active seasons soon upon us, residents of Upper Michigan have to be prepared for changeable and severe winter weather conditions. Average yearly snowfall ranges from around 60 inches to over 200 inches in some of the lake effect snow belt regions. Snowfall can occur in as many as eight of the twelve months during the year. The significant snowfall combined with bouts of dangerously cold air and windy conditions result in Upper Michigan Winters being very harsh compared to other parts of the country. Thus, Upper Michigan is a unique and challenging location for winter weather, for both residents and weather forecasters.

In preparation of the Winter season, the National Weather Service in Marquette will be giving several presentations across Upper Michigan talking about winter weather. The purpose of the presentations is to talk about some of the common winter weather topics that are of interest to citizens across Upper Michigan and to explain the importance of the community getting involved and relaying winter weather reports to the National Weather Service. A few of the topics to be discussed include the science behind snow storms and lake effect snow, how to measure snow, the changing U.P. climate, and the upcoming winter outlook.

One of the seminars will be held in the conference room at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood on Tuesday, November 10th, at 6:00 PM CST. The seminar is FREE and open to the general public with no advance registration required. The seminar will last about 90 minutes with a question and answer session to follow. The presentation is also a wonderful learning opportunity for anyone who may be interested in weather.

Additional information is available on our website at www.weather.gov/mqt.