Climate Change

[Nick]

Just an observation (not wishing to start a conflict about global warming, etc.)

Just returned from two weeks on Isle Royale (first boater) and I noticed that I have never seen the following this early in the season since my first trip in 1976:

1. Mosquitos and black flies out (usually don't come out until late May)
2. Trees have leafed out
3. Garter snakes sunning on trails

[Bobcat1]

Lots of things seem to be peaking early this year. I wonder if part of it may also be an El Niño pattern as well as longterm warming.

[dcclark]

I spent a week in the Porcupine Mountains (nearby Michigan mainland) and noticed the same things. The trees leafing out this early were especially jarring.

[Nick]

It was a mild winter overall up north. Very little ice cover on the Great Lake s this year. Hope it's just an anomaly.

[jerry]

Here in Ohio, the average temperature for the last 12+ months have been above average. We only received 1/2 the normal snow this and last year. The rain fall during the winters has been above normal. I've believed in global warming for many years.