snow

Downtown Holland says no to snow

Posted on December 19, 2024December 19, 2024 by farlane

Heated Sidewalk in Holland by Discover Holland

One of the stories you read more & more every year is how online shopping is killing downtowns. Discover Holland shares that in the 80s when suburban malls were wreaking similar havoc, downtown Holland business owners & the city created a plan for Snow Free Holland, now the largest municipal snowmelt system in North America:

Joining the conversation was Holland native and Prince Corporation founder, Edgar D. Prince. Prince brought to the table an idea that he discovered while in Europe, a system of underground piping that circulates warm water to keep the snow and ice at bay during the winter months. Using this idea, Prince expanded on the possibilities of snow and ice free access in downtown, and thus began the downtown Holland snowmelt project.

Currently, snowmelt is maintained by the Holland Board of Public Works in collaboration with the Holland Energy Park. Snowmelt was first implemented in 1988 and is the largest municipally-run snowmelt system in North America. By using waste heat from power generation, water is heated and circulated through 120 miles of plastic tubing underneath the streets and sidewalks. The tubes are 3/4″ in circumference; Holland has 600,000 square feet of tubing totaling 4.9 miles and 10.5 acres of heated streets and sidewalks. With the water heating up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the system can melt 1″ of snow per hour – even at 20 degrees F with 10 MPH winds!

Bet on a Winter Storm

Posted on December 10, 2024 by farlane

Snow Storm at Tahquamenon Falls by Michigan Nut Photography

Yesterday afternoon mLive meteorologist Mark Torregrossa shared that the National Weather Service is so confident about inbound heavy snow that they issued a winter storm watch with a possibility of up to a foot of snow from 7pm today to 7pm Thursday — more than 24 hours before any flakes fall!

In Lower Michigan the winter storm watch stretches from the Kalamazoo area northward through the Grand Rapids area and up the western shoreline through Muskegon, Grand Traverse area and Charlevoix. Cadillac is also in the winter storm watch. The western Lake Superior shoreline counties in the Upper Peninsula are also in the winter storm watch.

You can find this shot from Michigan’s largest waterfall & many others in the Winter in Michigan gallery on the Michigan Nut Photography website. John also shares much more on his Facebook!

Here’s a fall pic by John from the same spot and there is much more Tahquamenon Falls on Michigan in Pictures!

Autumn morning at Tahquamenon Falls by Michigan Nut Photography

snow squalls & snow daze!

Posted on December 4, 2024 by farlane

Snow squalls at the Straits by Paula Liimatta

mLive’s Tanda Gmiter shares that the cold front rolling into Michigan is packing a powerful punch:

Snow squalls are in the forecast across Michigan as a cold front rushes in, beginning today and lasting into Thursday. Drivers should be aware, as these can be a serious hazard if you’re out on the road when a squall whips up. Snow squalls cause white-out conditions and can leave roads icy. They are forecast to develop in West Michigan this afternoon, then over a several-hour period tonight in Southeast Michigan as a strong cold front arrives, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in the Grand Rapids and Detroit offices said. The front is expected to spark some rapidly-changing weather conditions.

Paula got this shot of snow squalls buffeting the Mighty Mackinac Bridge back in January of 2018. See more in her Winter 2017 gallery including this reminder than for all its problems, snow can be SUPER FUN!!!

Snow Daze by paula liimatta

Mr Coyote

Posted on November 20, 2024 by farlane

Mr Coyote by Mark Smith

Coyotes are found in every county in Michigan, something I learned on a Christmas Day 2019 bike ride in Detroit when a coyote & I surprised each other on the eastside! The Michigan DNR shares a little bit about living with coyotes in Michigan, including the fact that it is critical for their well being as well as the safety of our pets & farm animals that they retain their natural fear of people. To do this:

Eliminate outside food sources like garbage or pet food

Clear out brush piles that provide hiding places for small mammals and birds

And for sure keep small pets indoors or accompany them outside!

If you do see an unwanted coyote in your area, you can try to scare it off by yelling, clapping or making other loud noises.

Most coyotes are afraid of people and will leave if you frighten them, but if they don’t leave, remember that they are wild animals and also be aware that there are coyote/wolf crossbreeds in Michigan known as “coywolf” and they are a whole different beast!

Mark shared this photo back in 2016, saying that Mr. Coyote paid a visit to their house looking for Mr. Pussycat, who was smartly hiding under the coffee table! Follow @downstreamer7 on Instagram for Mark’s latest!

PS: Here’s a shot of a coyote pup I took years ago.

Coyote Pup by Andrew McFarlane

No Foolin’

Posted on April 1, 2022 by farlane

Michigan Spring?!? by Michelle Leale

I love a good April Fools, but I just don’t seem to have it in me this year. You can check out some of my (and others) Michigan April Fools pics from years past though.

Speaking of April Foolishness, the 4″ of snow outside is testing my patience!! Michelle took this back in April of 2018. See the latest on her Flickr & have a great weekend!

Keweenaw topped 25 feet of snow this winter!

Posted on March 28, 2022 by farlane

McLain State Park Snowshoeing by Nathan Miller

The Keweenaw Road Commission shared last week that they’ve recorded over 300 inches of snow this winter. The 25 feet of snow is about 6 feet more than normal. While that’s definitely a whole lot, it’s 356 inches of snow recorded in the winter of 1978–79.

Nathan took this photo at the beginning of February at McLain State Park near Hancock on the Keweenaw Peninsula. See more in his McLain State Park Snowshoeing – February 2022 gallery on Flickr.

Waterfall Wednesday: Victoria Dam Falls

Posted on February 23, 2022February 23, 2022 by farlane

Victoria Dam & Falls December 2021-11 by Nathan Miller

The Waterfalls of the Keweenaw entry for Victoria Dam Falls has directions & says in part:

This section of West Branch Ontonagon River was once the home of the famous Ontonagon Boulder (a copper boulder now housed in the Smithsonian weighing almost two tons) and a tall, impressive waterfall. A dam and basin now covers both landmarks and only an overflow channel, one that is rarely flowing, remains. Viewing the drop is easy as it flows down from the opposite bank facing an access point.

Nathan took this back in December of 2021. For sure head over to Flickr to see this & other shots extra big in his Victoria Dam & Falls gallery.

February 3rd: Plowback Thursday

Posted on February 3, 2022 by farlane

Plow Extra Grant by Russell Sekeet

The possibly legendary southeast Michigan snowstorm fizzled, so in case you were fired up for it, here’s a “Throwback Thursday” to February 3, 2011. Russell writes Marquette Rail ran a plow extra after the 2011 blizzard that dropped over 2 feet of snow and 50+ MPH winds. Here it is seen busting through the crossing in downtown Grant.

See more in his Michigan gallery on Flickr.

Before the Plows Come By

Posted on January 7, 2022 by farlane

Before the Plows Come By by Ann Fisher

Ann captured a nice winter mood in this photo from a late December evening in Marquette. See more in her 2021 UP gallery on Flickr & thanks to all the hardworking plow drivers around the state!