Michigan residents have witnessed an unusually warm winter season, but besides being unexpected, the high temperatures have had a positive impact for many in the East Lansing community.
Mark Sekelsky, a National Weather Service spokesman in Grand Rapids, said Wednesday’s high temperatures were 20 degrees above average for January, and temperatures and snowfall are not expected to catch up to the average for this time of year by the end of the month.
“Looking into 20 days from now at the temperature forecast, we will likely end off with above normal temperatures for January (in) the Lansing area,” Sekelsky said.
MSU Landscape services manager Gerald Dobbs said he hasn’t seen this type of weather in Michigan before, but he did see it in his home state of Kentucky.
Still, Dobbs said his job relies upon weather conditions, and staff continue to check daily to ensure campus is safe.
“We continue to patrol each morning for any slick spots or ice on the roads,” he said. “Sometimes we may have water that was standing and will freeze during the night, and the weather is cold enough to make that freeze.”
Since snow plowing has not been a necessity this season, the landscaping staff has been able to work on projects they normally would not be able to access because of snow, including patching pot holes and pruning plants.
“We are doing a lot more work,” he said. “This is a good thing because we get to catch up on the pruning that we are supposed to do in the winter.”
Some students, such as history sophomore Jake Asbury, also have found the warm weather to be a positive change.
“It’s great for this time of year, and hopefully it stays this way,” he said. “I don’t have to wear gloves, and it’s easier to get to and from class.”
Even though many have enjoyed the warm weather, Michigan residents should not expect those conditions to stay consistent until the spring.
There is always the possibility of one large snowstorm that could dump on Michigan, Sekelsky said.
As of press time western Michigan was under a snowstorm watch, he said, and East Lansing has a chance of snow showers on Friday and Saturday. Sekelsky said it is possible for the western part of the state to get 2-5 inches by 7 p.m. Friday evening.
“(Today) there will be mainly rain throughout the day, and by midnight, the rain will translate into snow, and there will be consistent snow until Friday,” Sekelsky said, adding precipitation amounts are expected to be above normal going through January, February and March.
Dobbs and the rest of the landscaping staff said they are staying prepared for any unexpected changes in the weather.
“We expect there to be snow soon, and we are ready for that,” Dobbs said. “We are actually looking for a big storm because we like the challenge.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
