March 24th 2011 storm-Superior Lighthouse on Wisconsin Point.

My and a friend of mine Dirk Miller of Dirks Forecasting Center, decided to take up a rare opportunity to see Lake Superior waves from a strong storms system that was expected to hit the area with strong winds and snow. I departed from Clayton Tuesday Morning when heavy sleet was falling, I reached Dirks house and left Rice Lake by noon, sleet was falling there as well, weather Conditions in terms of precip actually improved when we reached Superior, but the winds really picked up.

Lake Superior Waves

When we reached the lake, the winds were howling in the trees at Wisconsin point, and the waves were very large and crashing over the ice mounds! The winds I felt at the point were the strongest I’ve ever felt, It was very hard to stand up strait, and difficult to hear anyone talking! I had my hand held gauge and the wind was constantly over 30MPH, it was never under 30. The highest wind gust I measured was 42MPH, but I was not out very long before I had to go back to the truck to warm up because the wind was so cold I was numb with in a few minutes!

The most significant weather up in Superior the entire time was mostly the major wind that was going on, When I got home I found out the Sky Harbor Airport on the Minnesota side was reporting 56MPH gusts near the time we were at the point! Dirk, as well as many other people who visited Lake Superior that day said that they were the largest waves they had seen in many years, some said it was the largest waves then have ever seen, They were certainly the biggest I’ve ever seen!

I did attempt to get wind readings as best as I could, anytime we got near the water, the waves would crash up against the ice and it would sent pieces of ice way onto the shore, which in 30-40MPH winds feels quite painful, like someone throwing a snowball at you in full force!

This is a video of some of the waves at the shoreline, lots of water and ice can be seen splashing up, it was very difficult to hold the camera at a half we descent angle with out be pushed by the force of the wind!

Heavy Snow in Solon Springs,WI

There was nothing by flurries around the lake, and it did not really start snowing until we got just south of Superior, however when we got toward Solon Springs, the snow became heavy. The drive as we got through Minong and Spooner towards Rice Lake brought a snow that continued to slowly get more wet the further south we drive. By the time we left for Dirks house around 10pm it was snowing heavily with thunder and lightning, I attempted to get home to Clayton shortly after I arrived, but I only made it to his neighbors driveway before I knew I could not make it the 30 mile drive south. All in all it was an awesome trip and we made it safely home, and we were very care and knew safety was always first. I’m glad we took the risk, before it was quite a site to see!