Great Lakes quarterly climate impacts and outlook: December 2014
December 2014
Great Lakes Significant Events - for September - November 2014
September and October were relatively mild across the Great Lakes basin, but November turned cold fairly abruptly, with over 90 low temperature records tied or broken in Michigan alone and an early onset of ice on Lake Superior. However, the record cold was followed by record warmth in some areas. For example, on November 18, Hamilton, ON tied its record low of -11°C (12.2°F). Only six days later, nearby Toronto, ON broke a record high when 18.3°C (65°F) was recorded.
The wet conditions from the spring and summer continued through the start of fall, resulting in September water levels on all of the Great Lakes being above monthly averages for the first time since 1998. Wet conditions in the upper Great Lakes delayed the seasonal decline of water levels (which typically begins in mid to late summer) until late fall on Lake Superior, and it had not begun by the end of November on Lake Michigan-Huron.
A major lake effect snow event occurred in the Buffalo, NY area from November 17-21. Up to 223 cm (88 in) of snow fell, making it one of the Buffalo area’s largest snow events in history. Extreme snowfall rates of up to 15 cm (6 in) per hour occurred. Evaporation rates measured at Long Point, ON on Lake Erie the day before the snow event in Buffalo rose to four times the rate measured the week prior, a clear indication of lake effect in action. Coinciding with the Buffalo snowfall, severe lake effect snowfall also occurred in areas east of Lakes Superior, Huron, Ontario and Georgian Bay.
Winds on Lake Michigan gusted to over 80 km/hr (58 mph) during a high wind event on Halloween (October 31), causing wave heights to reach 6.6 m (21.7 ft) at an offshore buoy, the second highest wave event since buoy observations of Lake Michigan began in 1981. The storm surge caused a water level rise of 0.7 m (2.4 ft) in less than 8 hours at Calumet Harbor, IL. On November 24, an intense low pressure system brought wind gusts up to 100 km/hr in parts of southern Ontario that caused tens of thousands of people to lose power, as well as tree and minor structural damage.
Long Description
Figure 1: A map of the Great Lakes displaying key highlights from the significant events section. The highlights are as followed: Ice was measured on Lake Superior on November 15, several weeks earlier than usual making it the earliest measurable ice since records began in 1973. Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron were at their highest levels since the late-1990s throughout the quarter. A major lake effect snowfall event occurred in the Buffalo NY area from November 17-21, resulting in significant impacts. Lake effect snow contributed to a November snowfall total of 197.5 cm (77.7 in) at Sault Ste. Marie, ON crushing the previous record of 112.3 cm (44.2 in) in November 1989. During a high wind event on October 31, winds over Lake Michigan gusted to over 80 km/hr (58 mph).
Regional Climate Overview - for September - November 2014
Great Lakes Water Levels
The continuation of wet conditions has resulted in above average water levels for the Great Lakes throughout the quarter with the exception of Lake Ontario, which saw dry conditions and below average levels in October and November. Water supplies to Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron were well above average during each of the past three months. Lake Superior finished the quarter 22 cm (8.6 in) above average, the highest since 1986. Lake Michigan-Huron rose above average for the first time since the late-1990s in September and finished the quarter 20 cm (7.9 in) above average, the highest since 1997. Lake Erie was 19 cm (7.5 in) above average at the end of November, whereas Lake Ontario was 9 cm (3.5 in) below average and 12 cm (4.7 in) lower than a year ago.
Water level statistics based on 1918-2013.
Surface Water Temperature
During fall, 98% of the Great Lakes’ surface water temperatures were colder than average. Lake Superior’s waters had the greatest range, with departures from 4.2°C (7.6°F) below average to 0.5°C (0.9°F) above average. Lake Michigan’s water temperatures ranged from 3°C (5.4°F) below average to near average. Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron generally saw departures from 2°C (3.6°F) below average to 1°C (1.8°F) above average.
Long-term average (LTA) based on 1995-2013
Lake Temperature: Departures from Long Term Average (oC)
Long Description
Figure 2: Surface Water Temperature: Departures from the long-term average from September 1 to November 30, 2014. Map of the Great Lakes showing the surface water temperature departures (difference) from the long-term average in degrees Celsius. In general all the Great Lakes experienced surface water temperatures below average. Grey to green shades depict areas where surface water temperatures were -2oC to -4.5oC (-3.6oF to -8.1oF) from the long-term average and this is mainly in central and eastern Lake Superior. Orange to beige shades depict areas where surface water temperatures were -1oC to -2oC (-1.8oF to -3.6oF) from the long-term average and this occurred in the southeastern shore and central portion of Lake Superior, the majority of Lake Michigan with the exception of areas near the shore in the southern half of the lake, the western portion of Lake Huron and the northern portion of Lake Ontario. Yellow shades depict areas where surface water temperatures were average to -1oC (-1.8oF) from the long-term average and this occurred on the western portion of Lake Superior, along the shore in the southern half of Lake Michigan, northern, eastern and southern portions of Lake Huron, most of Georgian Bay with the exception of the middle of the bay, all of Lake Erie, and the western, eastern and southern portions of Lake Ontario. Pink shades depict areas where surface water temperatures were average to 1oC (1.8oF) above the long-term average and this is mainly found in the most western point of Lake Superior, the middle of Georgian Bay and sporadic bays within all the Great Lakes.
Precipitation
The Great Lakes basin precipitation was 115% of average during fall, with all lake basins but Ontario seeing near to above average precipitation. In September, all lake basins but Ontario were wetter than normal, with the overall basin seeing 110% of average. The entire basin saw 135% of average precipitation in October, with all lake basins seeing near to above normal precipitation. All lake basins saw near to below normal precipitation in November, with the overall basin seeing 95% of average.
Map: precipitation normals, 1981-2010 (NOAA, EC)
Text: precipitation averages, 1900-2010 (USACE)
September - November, 2014 Precipitation: Percent of Normal (%)
Long Description
Figure 3: Precipitation: Percent of Normal (%). Map of the Great Lakes showing precipitation distribution from September 1 to November 30. Green and dark green depict greater than normal percentages of precipitation and this is shown as a large circular area centred around where Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron meet and stretching southwest over the northern half of Lake Michigan, west over northern Wisconsin and northeast into northern Ontario and western and central Quebec. Wetter conditions also occurred over Lake Erie, northwestern Ohio, southwestern Michigan, northern Indiana, and central Illinois. Less than normal percentages of precipitation are depicted by brown and beige and these areas are concentrated over Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River basin, the western Lake Superior basin, as well as in the southern portion of the Great Lakes basin over New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio states.
Temperature
The Great Lakes basin was generally colder than normal this fall, with temperatures from 2°C (3.6o F) below normal to near normal. November was cold for the entire basin, with temperatures from 1°C (1.8o F) to 4o C (7.2°F) below normal. September temperatures ranged from 2o C (3.6o F) below normal to near normal. In October, the Lake Superior basin was below normal by up to 1o C (1.8o F), the Lake Michigan basin was near normal, and the basins of lakes Huron, Erie, and Ontario were up to 2o C (3.6o F) warmer than normal.
Temperature normals based on 1981-2010.
November 2014 shown to display greatest anomalies.
November 2014 Temperature: Departure from Normal (o)
Long Description
Figure 4: Temperature: Departure from Normal for November, 2014. Only November 2014 was shown to display the greatest temperature anomaly in the fall of 2014. Map of the Great Lakes showing the temperature departures from normal in degrees Celsius. Purple and dark purple shades depict areas where the temperature was -2oC to -5oC (-3.6oF to -9oF) from normal and this occurred in the southern, northern, central and western Great Lakes basin with the greatest temperature departures in the entire western portion of the basin. Light purple and white areas depict areas where the temperature was near normal to -2oC (-3.6oF) from normal and this occurred in the eastern portion or the basin over Lake Ontario, eastern Ontario, and extending into Quebec and most of New York State.
Regional Impacts - for September - November 2014
Impacts from Buffalo, NY Lake Effect Snow
The lake effect snow event from November 17-21 in the Buffalo, NY area resulted in 14 deaths. Major roadways were shut down for over three days, driving bans were in place for up to five days, and thousands of motorists were stranded. The weight of the snow caused hundreds of collapsed roofs and structural failures. Several towns spent their entire snow removal budget in one week. Three school districts were closed until December 1 due to hazards from high snow piles and falling trees. A state of emergency was declared in Erie County, allowing snow removal equipment and personnel, along with the National Guard, to be sent to the area to assist with recovery efforts. Fortunately, rapid snowmelt due to warmer temperatures and rain caused only minor flooding after the event.
Total observed snowfall (in) from Nov. 17-21, 2014 (graphic by Buffalo National Weather Service)
Long Description
Figure 5: Map of the Buffalo, NY area displaying the total snowfall observed in inches from the lake effect storm from November 17 to 21, 2014. Red shading depicts areas where the snow exceeded 70 inches (178 cm) just south of downtown Buffalo stretching from Lake Erie directly east for about 50 km inland. Orange, yellow and green shades (dark to lighter shades) represent 10 inch increments of snowfall observed from heavy snowfall at 70 in (178 cm) down to lighter snowfall 10 in (25cm). These shades are wrapped around the red heavy snowfall area and it shows that the heavy snow was concentrated around Buffalo and got progressively lighter outside the city. Nearby areas like Niagara Falls, NY only show trace amounts of snow. This graphic was provided by the Buffalo National Weather Service.
Agriculture
The climate conditions this September and October on the U.S. side of the basin were ideal for harvest. However, precipitation amounts during the fall were extremely high in Ontario. Combined with a relatively cool and wet spring, these conditions delayed crop development and harvest by up to five weeks in some areas, particularly for corn. As of December 1, 5% of soybeans and 40% of corn acres remain to be harvested in Ontario. The delayed soybean harvest has also resulted in a reduction of the winter wheat acres seeded.
Halloween High Wind Event
The high wind event over Lake Michigan on October 31 caused significant issues for the third largest city in the U.S, Chicago, IL. The strong waves off Lake Michigan managed to push water from the lake onto the northbound lane of Lakeshore Drive (a major expressway in Chicago), just in time for the evening commute. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport had to cancel more than 700 incoming and outgoing flights that day because of the high winds and heavy rain that were associated with this event. In addition, the storm surge, coupled with higher October water levels, caused the D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant in Bridgeman, MI to shut down both of its reactors for several days. The storm surge clogged the intake tunnels used to draw in water for reactor cooling.
Regional Outlook - for January - March 2015
Lake Level Outlook
Water levels typically reach their seasonal low during winter, as water supplies tend to decline and evaporation increases this time of year. Current projections for January through March show water levels on lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, and Erie remaining above average, unless exceedingly dry conditions are experienced. Lake Ontario is expected to remain near or slightly below average for this time of year unless above-normal water supplies are received.
Forecast of January-March 2015 Water Levels (compared to the long-term average)
| Lake | Forecasted high compared to the long-term average in centimetres |
Forecasted low compared to the long-term average in centimetres |
Forecasted high compared to the long-term average in inches |
Forecasted low compared to the long-term average in inches |
| Superior | +28 cm above | +12 cm above | +11 in above | +4.7 in above |
| Huron-Michigan | +30 cm above | +7 cm above | +11.8 in above | +2.8 in above |
| Erie | +52 cm above | -3 cm below | +20.5 in above | -1.2 in below |
| Ontario | +28 cm above | -26 cm below | +11 in above | -10.2 in below |
Table 1: Forecast of Winter 2015 Water Levels (compared to the long-term average)
Outlook from the US Army Corps of Engineers and Environment Canada (January-March 2015)
Temperature & Precipitation Outlook
The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) indicates an increased likelihood of below-normal temperatures near the southern edge of the Great Lakes basin in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Otherwise, both the CPC and Environment Canada (EC) are calling for equal chances of above, near or below normal temperatures for January-March across the Great Lakes basin.
For precipitation, the CPC forecast for January-March suggests a greater chance of below normal precipitation for much of the U.S. basin, while EC forecasts show no clear signal for the coming quarter in the Canadian basin.
El Niño has a 65% chance of developing during winter, but likely to be weak if it does emerge and may not impact winter temperatures and precipitation. In general, El Niño winters tend to be warmer than normal in the Great Lakes basin, with drier than normal conditions in the eastern basin, less snow than usual, and reduced ice cover on the lakes.
Ice Cover Outlook
For winter 2014/15, NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory projects maximum ice coverage of the Great Lakes to be about 54%, which is a little above the long-term average maximum ice cover of 52%.
Ice cover projections: GLERL statistical regression model.
Great Lakes Region Partners
Environment Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Midwestern Regional Climate Center
Northeast Regional Climate Center
Great Lakes Region State Climatologists
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center
Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
NOAA Great Lakes Sea Grant Network
North Central River Forecast Center
Climate Prediction Center
Great Lakes Integrated Sciences & Assessments
US Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
National Integrated Drought Information System
Great Lakes Water Level Dashboard
Contact
U.S.
Samantha Borisoff: Samantha.borisoff@cornell.edu
Molly Woloszyn: mollyw@illinois.edu
For more information:
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