As the weather takes a milder turn in the next couple weeks, Michigan residents can expect a break from the harsh conditions many come to expect from the early part of the year.
But this kind of weather isn’t unusual for this time of year, said Walt Felver, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids.Temperatures are still around average for the month.
“We often have a mild period in January,” Felver said. “We don’t have any jet streams plunging south like we do in December and the end of January.”
But students and residents have found the weather a good excuse to leave their thick scarves and gloves at home in favor of baseball caps and deep pockets when they venture outside.
“I haven’t had to wear a hat at all,” kinesiology junior Brian Bieber said.
The mild temperatures also have kept a good portion of snow from staying on the ground for very long, keeping roads and sidewalks clear - and campus travel easier.
“I live on campus,” Bieber said. “It’s better walking to classes.”
But it isn’t just the university that missed out on any heavy accumulation.
Bittersweet Ski Resort in Otsego, Mich. about 17 miles north of Kalamazoo, has less snow lately, and is relying on its snow-making capability to provide visitors with fresh snow on the slopes and a solid base for winter sports fans to ski on.
“It doesn’t affect the slopes too much,” said Candy Gray, the resort’s office manager. “It is making the snow softer so you go slower, but I don’t mind.”
Skiers on Bittersweet’s slopes aren’t the only things slowing down, though.
Visits to the ski resort slowed down since the temperature picked up, but the business hasn’t been hurt any by the reduction of visitors.
“We’ve still been really busy since Christmas Eve,” Gray said.
The National Weather Service reported the jet stream making its way through northern Canada could slip south and over Michigan about Jan. 25.
It will bring the blustery, chilly weather many Michiganians expect.
Even with the break in the cold, few are making any special plans.
“I haven’t really had any time,” East Lansing resident Keith Cha said.
But despite not making any plans to take advantage of the warm weather, he still finds the weather enjoyable.
“It’s nice when you don’t have to go outside and freeze,” Cha said.
