For Yoopers, winter--often the eight-month curiosity that gives Trolls cabin fever--is undoubtedly a booster of morale and economy. Many business strategies and events are planned around winter. But a well overdue snowfall that has failed to meet UP standards may prove ruinous.
When only four years ago, Lake Superior froze over completely for the first time in 20 years, this year's winter follows the trend started by preceding seasons (2006), which the National Weather Service declared "one of the five warmest years on record."
Notably, snow mobile sales and rentals are down as well as ski hill patronage. Mackinac Island usually takes in chilled pilgrims, who cross Lake Huron on foot, ski, and snowmobile by following a path marked by Christmas trees. But currently the lake is a patchwork of ice chunks, floating free like cereal in a half-eaten bowl. Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival celebrations are also in jeopardy. Each year, students and community brave the brisk and build intricate two-story snow and ice sculptures, play broomball (hockey with brooms, shoes, and a ball) outdoors, and ski, snowshoe, sled, etc. more frequently. The marquee attraction, snow statues, take a month to build, and this year, event planners have had to bring in snow from around the Keweenaw area and dump it on campus.
Whether to blame global warming or el nino is a moot point for many Yoopers. A late arrival could mean a late stay or a short series of heavy storms, and, given past experiences, it's difficult to expect anything less.
Yooper - A resident of the Upper Peninsula.
Troll - A resident of the Lower Peninsula (under the Mackinac Bridge).
2 comments:
What perhaps could be businesses positively affected by the unseasonal temperatures Up North? As a former landscaper, I assure you the building trades kept people working well past the New Year, as opposed to the usual early December lay off. So for some people the warm winter meant extra money in their pockets. If you're one of those people, however, you're probably just pissed off you haven't had a chance to go Sturgeon fishing!
Will the change in temperature and its affects have a large impact on Michigan's economy? If there is no way to participate in winter activities, people might lose their jobs if they depend on working during that time.
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