Four Season Cottages and Vacation Suites
On the Shore of Lake Superior
Grand Marais, Minnesota
December 2013
Dec 31: I thought I may have seen some ice forming on Superior during our last cold spell a couple weeks ago. However, this time there is no mistake, we have ice forming on the surface of Lake Superior and it is still December. This is quite rare for our exposed location. We, of course, get plenty of ice on the shore from the spray of the waves by this time. But, I do not believe we have ever had ice on the surface in December in our 10 years here on the shore. Normally, ice does not start forming on the surface until late February here in Croftville. It was 18 below this morning with heavy steam rising into the dark cloud bank over the lake. Everywhere else it is a clear deep blue sky and a blue lake with silver highlights. No real waves today but there are different textures where the ice is forming.
Dec 30: Temperatures rose into the single digit for awhile midday before plummeting into the subzero depths once again. It was a good day to just sit by a fire, read a book, and look out at that icy steel blue lake and the clear blue sky.
Dec 29: Never even got close to above zero today. It was a day neither fit for man or beast. There was lots of steam rising into the dark cloud fixed over the lake. There were also several freighters passing our way today partially obscured by the mist.
Dec 28: We woke up to 30 and it stayed in the low 30's until late afternoon when temps started dropping quickly into the teens. Lake Superior was gray with 2ft waves from the ESE.
Dec 27: We got to 30 today. This is the first time we made it to 30 since before Thanksgiving. Lake Superior had a blue gray lake against our overcast sky. It snowed this morning for an inch then turned to flurries the rest of the day.
Dec 26: There was a strong wind off the lake today that made the 20 degree temperatures seem much colder. The wind continued to drive the waves from the SSW. An intermittant heavy snow added another couple inches of fluffy snow during the morning.
Dec 25: We got 4-5" of fresh snow last night that continued this morning. Lake Superior is beautiful this afternoon with a deep blue lake and silver highlights against a blue partly cloudy sky with amazing cloud formations. Waves were 3ft from the SSW and highs were in the teens.
Dec 24: The lake was as scary as I have seen it in years. Not that they were huge waves, they were 4ft with plenty of whitecaps from the SSW. However, it was the strong winds coming off the lake, the black clouds that partially covered the lake, the deep steel gray color of the lake, and the occasional blinding reflections of the sun that made the Superior so spooky yesterday. The temps got into the low 20's but with the wind it felt like below zero.
Dec 23: The temperature dropped to 7 below this morning. Sounds like it will stay cold today. We have clear blue skies here in Croftville. The exception of course is the dark cloud that forms over the lake anytime we drop below zero. We can watch the mist swirling up off the surface into the cloud. The lake surface itself is a silver blue with navy shadows with small 1ft waves from the SE.
Dec 22: Lake Superior had 3ft rollers from the ESE with a dark blue surface and silver highlights. Another 3" of fluffy snow fell overnight and into the morning. Light snow continued all day long.
Dec 21: Temperatures were in the teens and 20's today. We had partly sunny skies which made Lake Superior bright blue and mostly calm.
Dec 20: It was a repeat of yesterday with the exception that clouds rolled in by late afternoon.
Dec 19: It was another beautiful day in Croftville. Temperatures were in the 20's during the day with plenty of sun. Lake Superior was calm and a deep sky blue.
Dec 18: Although we began the day with 6 below, temperatures quickly mad it into the 20's. Skies were overcast with 2" of fresh snow falling this morning. Lake Superior had 2ft smooth waves from the SSW. The surface was a uniform purplish blue.
Dec 17: It was a beatiful day in Croftville with temperatures in the 20's, mostly clear blue skies, and a light breeze off Superior. The lake had 3ft steel blue waves from the SW with a few whitecaps. We saw a freighter only a quarter mile off the shore around noon.
Dec 16: Woke up to 10 degrees and 2" of fresh snow as a front moved in last night. The snow has picked up through the day and we have accumulated another 4-5" today. The waves on Lake Superior have also picked up and are 4-5ft from the SSW. The lake is my favorite steel blue color highlighted by lots of whitecaps and the huge breaking wavefronts on the beach. I have to say that I am sick of shoveling snow which is a bad sign since it is only mid-December.
Dec 15: And the cold came back, the very next day! We woke up to 6 below and it was still 5 below at noon. We got to a balmy 1 above before dropping into the below zeros again after dark. Lake Superior had greenish gray 2ft waves from the SSW. The skies were mostly clear with some high light clouds drifting by overhead. We saw several ore freighters passing by during the night.
Dec 14: The cold ended this morning with a morning low of 5 and a high of 20. However, the end of the cold was ushered in with all day lake effect snow that has acculmulated about 7" of fluffy snow by 9pm and is still coming down. Lake Superior was a dark gray with a blue tint and relatively calm against the snowy sky.
Dec 13: The cold continues with a high of 10 and a low this morning of 8 below. Lake Superior was a greenish silver, realtively calm, with clear skies overhead except for the cloud over the lake. We saw several ore freighters pass close by today.
Dec 12: Clear skies, a high of 12, and 2-3ft navy blue smooth waves from the SSW. It was good to see the temperatures moderate just a little.
Dec 11: What a cold spell we have here. It was 18 below on the lake, one of the coldest temperatures we have seen along the lake in our 10 years here. Our high for the day was 2 below. It was too cold to do much of anything except watch the mist rise off the silver blue lake into the huge cloud that has formed over the middle of the lake. There were 2ft smooth waves from the SSW.
Dec 10: The day started at 7 below, warmed up to 2 above, and then sunk back to 3 below. Lake Superior has 2ft smooth waves from the south with unusually long distances between the wavefronts. The lake is silver with sky blue shadows. Once again you can watch the swirling mist rise off the surface and move up into the massive cloud situated over the bady of the lake.
Dec 9: We woke up to 3" of fresh fluffy snow and 7 degrees. By noon it had made it to 13 and the rest of the day the temperatures fell falling below zero with the sunset. The brreze picked up through the day and made it quite uncomfortable by late afternoon. Once again we had clear blue skies except over the lake. As temperatures fell the little whirlwinds of mist increased off the lake surface. Lake Superior was pretty calm with a silver blue surface and navy blue shadows. Our guest spotted an ore freighter that looked like a ghost ship in the mist.
Dec 8: It was 12 below by the lake this morning. We had clear skies and a fairly calm Lake Superior. By afternoon temps had risen tsingle digits, then it began to get overcast and temps rose into the low teens. Finally it beagn to snow and is now snowing pretty good at 8pm.
Dec 7: It was too cold to work outside today, it was too cold to do much of anything outside today. We started the day at 10 below and ended with a high of 5 before temperatures dropping back below zero by dusk. The rising mist off the lake is almost eerie as it spirals upward into the great cloud bank that has formed over the lake. I saw an ore freighter go by but it was lighter than I am accustomed. Part of that is due to the mist, and part of it is the whitening effect of frozen spray clinging to the ship.
Dec 6: The cold front they had been warning us about that would be coming after the snowstorm finally arrived last night. This morning it was 4 below down here by the lake. We have clear blue skies except over the lake which has a mist rising off the surface into the cloud bank that almost always forms in frigid weather. Lake Superior has 2ft silver smooth waves with navy blue shadows from the south.
Dec 5: Well, the snow has finally ended and for the first time in several days we can see the sky. There is an enormous cloud bank sitting over Lake Superior. We still have 3-4ft waves which are big waves but nothing like the waves from yesterday. I could here those large waves subsiding last night while laying in bed. They also changed direction and are now from the SSW and are a beautiful transluscent green as the brak near the shore.
Dec 4: And the snow and wind continues. There was a brief respite in the snow this morning but it picked up again at noon and by 3 it was coming down hard until I went to bed. The gales are creating huge waves that must be 6-8ft. They are coming in from the SE and are churning up the sediment so that the lake near the shore is a chocolate color. The waves are consistently hitting the landing at the bottom of our stairs which is quite rare. You can hear the large rocks on the beach shift as the waves are pulled back into the lake.
Dec 3: Another 4" of wet heavy snow fell last night. By the time I had shoveled out of our walks and driveways another 3" had fell. Snow fell and temperatures dropped all day long starting in the mid 30's and ending in the mid 20's. Lake Superior had limited visibility but you could see the 3ft waves from the SSE smashing into the shore. The light blue lake, the pounding waves, and the falling snow made the chair next to the gas stove looking out the picture window to the lake the perfect place to sit out the storm.
Dec 2: There was 4" of fresh snow last night and light snow all day today until 3pm. After 3pm the snow became heavier and wetter. Temperatures have hovered in the low 30's all day and the high for the day of 35 is right now at 9pm. Lake Superior had dark gray 2ft smooth waves today from the south.
Dec 1: The month of December begins in Croftville with moderate temperatures in the 20's and 30's, clear to partly overcast skies, and a realtively calm Superior with 1ft waves from the SSW.
November 2013
Nov 30: Temperatures are in the 30's, skies are overcast, and our snow is melting. Lake Superior is a greenish gray with 1ft waves from the south.
Nov 29: We hiked Eagle Mountain today. This will probably be our last real hike until spring. It is time to pull out the cross country skis. The summit was clear for about 10 minutes and then snow clouds blocked any long range visibility. When we returned late in the afternoon Superior was periwinkle in color. The waves are beginning to pick up again and are back to 3ft. Temperatures hovered in the teens and 20's.
Nov 28: Happy Thanksgiving. We woke up to our first true snowcover for the year. We had about 4" on the ground and another inch fell this morning while shoveling out. It is so different to see everything covered in white. By contrast, Lake Superior is a dark, dark gray and almost looks black.
Nov 27: They have predicted snow all day today for the North Shore but we never saw any of it. Temperatures are hovering in the 20's and the sky is lightly overcast. Superior is a greenish blue with small 1-2ft waves.
Nov 26: Lake Superior was calmer with 1-2ft silver blue waves from the south. We saw 3 ore freighters pass by today although one was sitting quite high and might have been a saltie. "Saltie" is a term they use for those ships that come all the way from the salt water of the Atlantic. Temperatures stayed in the 10-15 range all day long. The stars are spectacular tonight and have that 3 dimensional look to them as if you could reach out and clutch them out of the sky.
Nov 25: It was almost a fall day in Croftville. Temperatures were in the 30's and low 40's. There were mostly cloudy skies with sunshine breaking through every now and then. The lake had 4-5ft waves from the south which roared as they broke. The tops of the waves were a translucent green. I saw 2 ore freighters pass by. Hope this weather holds for Thanksgiving.
Nov 24: Waves picked up overnight and roared all day long. We are talking 5-6ft waves from the south. With these huge waves came plenty of whitecaps painted against the greenish blue surface. Temperatures rebounded this morning into the teens with the arrival of 1 inch of fluffy snow. By nightime temperatures rose into the low 30's.
Nov 23: It is bitterly cold today. We woke up to 4 degrees and never got above 15. Mostly sunny skies left a blue lake but with the rising mist coming off the surface like we usually see in the winter.
Nov 22: The lake was calm today with 6" smooth waves from the SSW. We saw several ore freighters pass by Croftville Road Cottages throughout the day. With temperatures in the mid 20's most of the day it was pleasant when the wind died down and quite cold when the wind was blowing. Flurries came and went all day.
Nov 21: The morning started at 42 degrees and temperatures dropped all day long into the 20's. A strong wind off of the hill pelted the lake and subdued any waves that tried to work their way to shore. You could watch the gusts of wind move out over the aqua surface of the lake. A ways out on Superior you could see the whitecaps.
Nov 20: Temperatures rose throughout the night and it was 43 by this morning. Lake Superior was roaring with 4-5ft blue green waves coming straight in from the SSE. The breaking waves were quite a sight since the entire wavefront broke at the same time. The wind was still, the skies were overcast, and the temps were almost balmy.
Nov 19: The waves changed direction and magnitude overnight. They are now 3-4ft from the ESE and are a greenish gray. Temperatures were in the low 20's this morning but managed to get into the mid 30's by late afternoon. There is a pretty good wind blowing off the lake.
Nov 18: We had our first accumulated snow last night and woke up with about a half inch covering the ground here by the lake. It is a cold day and the snow is sticking with temperatures staying in the 20's. The gray waves are coming in at the unusual oblique angle from the SW and are 2-3ft.
Nov 17: Drizzle, overcast, and gray describes the day in Croftville. Temperatures were in the 40's and the lake had 3ft uniformly gray with just a hint of green waves from the SSE. We saw 3 ore freighters pass by. The full moon was bright enough to show through the clouds.
Nov 16: There was a heavy frost which made everything wet. We had a low of 29 and highs in the mid 40's. Lake Superior was gray with 2ft waves from the south.
Nov 15: Lake Superior was surprisingly calm for November with modest 1ft gray waves from the south breaking gently on the shore. Although full moon is still 2 days away, the night sky was really bright with a moon dawg halo surrounding the nearly full moon.
Nov 14: The winds have settled down, the skies are mostly clear, and temperatures are in the 40's. Lake Superior has 2ft waves from the south. I feel warn out from fighting the wind yesterday.
Nov 13: We have 4-5ft waves from the south today. The sound of the lake is thunderous. Skies are mostly sunny with light strands of clouds passing by. Lake Superior is a steel blue with many whitecaps. The breaking waves near the shore are a translucent greenish blue. Temperature-wise it has climbed into the 40's but the brisk wind still leaves you with a chill.
Nov 12: We saw 3 ore freighters today. A low of 20 last night but it warmed up to 31 this afternoon. Gitche Gumi had 2-3ft from the south. They had a purple hue when the sky was overcast and an aqua blue when we had sun.
Nov 11: Yikes, winter has come back! We went to bed last night and the temperature was 35 with light snow. We got up this morning to 19 degrees on the lake. A big freighter passed by while I tried to unfreeze the water pipes to our travel trailer. We have clear skies and the strongest winds I have seen in a couple years. The gusts almost picked up our temporary canvas shed and tried to throw it into Superior. Our high for the day was 24.
Nov 10: On the way back home last night from Duluth we hit a deer disabling our vehicle and forcing us to spend the night in Two Harbors. They are everywhere this fall and I have heard of more deer collisions this fall than I ever have, I had hoped I wouldn't be one of them. It was a cold day all along the North Shore with temperatures in the upper 30's with light snow and rain. Today it is partly cloudy with 3ft waves on the big lake from the south. We saw a huge ore freighter pass by not more than a quarter mile from shore.
Nov 9: Lake Superior again has 3ft waves from the SSW. It rained overnight which isn't bad since the prediction was for 2-4 inches of snow. We have overcast skies and a little drizzle for the first day of deer hunting.
Nov 8: Although it was cold in the 30's we had a full day of sun which made it a great day to be outside. Lake Superior had 3ft metallic blue waves from the SSW with crisp whitecaps.
Nov 7: Although the lake was relatively calm with 1ft smooth waves from the SSW, the sky was dynamic today. Cloud formations sped across the sky being backlit by the sun giving them a real 3 dimensional look. Even though the lake was gray, the sky was full of reds, blues, purples, pinks, and oranges.
Nov 6: The lake had 2ft grayish blue waves from the SE. A healthy wind pulled heat away from your body when you were outside. It was almost pelasant this morning in the 40's but a front passed through at noon and the afternoon was cold in the 30's.
Nov 5: Lake Superior picked up over night and had 3-4ft bluish silver waves today from the SE. There was a pretty healthy wind as well that made the low 40's feel more like freezing. I expected to see freighters out there but I must have missed them in spite of being outdoors all day.
Nov 4: As I came over the hill in Duluth to look out over Lake Superior I could feel my body sigh and relax. I am coming home and my body knows that Lake Superior is home.
Nov 3: No news to report today since I wasn't here. It feels strange to be away from Lake Superior for the first full day in 17 months.
Nov 2: We left Grand Marais early this morning for the state cross country meet at St. Olaf. The sun was just just rising as we headed over the hill in Duluth to say goodbye to Lake Superior for the next 3 days. Temperatures overnight were in the mid 40's.
Nov 1: November begins the month feeling like fall again. Our overnight low was 44 and we are at 50 degrees at 11am. The skies are heavily overcast here but partly cloudy as we look toward the Upper Peninsula across the lake. Gitche Gumi has purple gray 6" waves from the ESE with silver highlights on a textured surface. There is a dark purple band on the lake near the horizon. This isn't what I would expect with the bright partly cloudy skies in that direction.
October 2013
Oct 31: Halloween is overcast and warm. We have misting at times down here by the lake. Superior is relatively calm with 6" smooth gray waves. Overnight we had 42 degrees, by late afternoon it was in the upper 40's, and by nightime it reached 49.
Oct 30: Temperatures overnight stayed in the 30's and the highs were in the 40's today. The morning had sun but clouds and a mist rolled in this afternoon. Lake Superior was a steel gray and relatively calm.
Oct 29: Another cold morning of 23 degrees. I guess winter has decided to come visit us for awhile. We hope we will see a little more late fall before winter stayes for good. There were several ore freighters that passed by today. It is the time of the year when the ore freighters begin using the longer but safer northern route across Superior. It is alwatys a welcome sight to begin seeing the freighters regularly again.
Oct 28: Temperatures plummeted last night and we woke up to 25 degrees here by the lake. I imagine that means temps may have got near the single digits away from the lake. Today we had a high of 38 with clear blue skies. Lake Superior was a silver blue with black shadows. There were 2ft waves on a highly textured surface. Little wind meant that it was actually comfortable outside.
Oct 27: We went back to wind and cloud cover today. However, we did occasionally get a little sun and people made use of that and were busy walking The Croftville Road including myself. Lake Superior was a pale blue with 1ft smooth waves. Temperatures were in the upper 30's and 40's.
Oct 26: What a difference a day can make. Temps are in the 40's, plenty of sunshine with light partial cloud cover, no wind, and a blue gray Lake Superior with only ripples.
Oct 25: This is stormiest day I have ever seen without any significant precipitation. Strong winds from the SW generated 5ft waves on Superior from the SSW. Lake Superior was a transluscent green with whitecaps everywhere. The black cloudfronts looked like black cottonballs. We had small amounts of rain that would pelt into your skin propelled by the wind. Even the bottom landing for our steps to the beach were wet from the spray.
Oct 24: It was a cold winter day on the north shore. We had 31 here on the lake and it didn't leave the 30's at all today. We started the day with our first accumulated snow (about a half inch). Lake Superior was a greenish gray with smooth 2ft waves.
Oct 23: It got down to 32 last night here on the lake. Once again we had a high of 44. There was no precipitation but plenty of dark low hanging clouds that looked ready to let loose. There was no sun today so Gitche Gumi was gray with 1ft smooth waves from the SSE. It no longer feels like fall.
Oct 22: The day began at 34 and the highest we got was 44. However, there was plenty of sun, scary cloud fronts passing by with the look of snow, and a lake with so many different colors and textures that I wouldn't know where to start. Lake Superior had 2ft waves coming straight in from the SSE.
Oct 21: We woke up to a thin layer of snow on the cars and roof. Temperature of 34 this morning with a high of 40 this afternoon. It was a cold day with light overcast skies, a gray Lake Superior, and snow flurries.
Oct 20: There was a feeling of winter in the air and sky today. Almost black clouds passed by us to the north and we could see dark gray clouds across the lake in northern Wisconsin. I suspect there was snow or freezing rain in both of them. Our temperatures hovered in the 30's and 40's. Lake Superior was silver gray once again but with some whitecaps amongst the 2ft waves. Fall colors although past peak are still beautiful. The aspen have pretty much given up all their foliage making it easier to look into the forest.
Oct 19: It was 35 degrees this morning when I got up. We had frozen sleet on the cars and stacks of wood. This was the coldest morning we have had this fall so far. Lake Superior is a uniform silver in color with 1ft smooth waves from the SE. There was lots of rain last night and they are predicting more of it and possibly somw snow flurries for today.
Oct 18: It was partly cloudy with plenty of sun today and an occasional sprinkling of rain. Lake Superior was a steel blue with small whitecaps and black shadows on its 1ft waves. Temperatures never found their way out of the 40's. There was a beautiful orange full moon moonrise right around sunset.
Oct 17: It was a rainy day in Croftville. Although the temperatures began to plummet quickly last night, the rain rebounded them so that it was 42 here on the lake this morning. Temperatures stayed in the mid 40's all day long with a cloud wind. Lake Superior was a uniform light gray in color.
Oct 16: We woke up to clear skies this morning. Lake Superior had 2-3ft waves from the SE with a deep blue surface with black shadows and a few whitecaps. The nearly full moon rose quickly after sunset and reflected off the black surface of the lake in a dazzling display. Temperatures are dropping quickly.
Oct 15: It looks like a rainy day today. In Croftville we had a light rain all night which appears it will continue throughout today. The waves on Superior picked up and are now 2ft from the SE. The lake is gray with black shadows against a fuzzy light gray horizon with just a hint of blue int it. The rain kept the temperatures in the mid 40's last night and I think we will struggle to hit 50 today.
Oct 14: Lake Superior was fairly calm today. We had lightly overcast skies and a grayish blue lake. The radar showed rain everywhere in northern Minnesota except our own Cook County. The rain didn't start here until after dark and allowed our guests to enjoy a short evening fire. Temperatures began with a season low of 36 here on the lake and managed to climb into the low 50's.
Oct 13: Croftville is enjoying a picture perfect fall day. Temperatures in the 50's, clear skies, and a light breeze. Lake Superior is a deep blue with dark green shadows and sky blue highlights against the pale blue horizon. We have 2ft waves from the south and can hear the rustling of the leaves and the breaking of the waves on the shore.
Oct 12: Lake Superior waves were sustained at 3-4ft from the SSW today. The surface was a metallic gray with silver reflections when the sun was out. There were lots of whitecaps and a brown band of water close to the shore. The day started with a amazingly warm low of 59 and had a high in the mid 60's. It was a geourgeous fall day with colors just past peak and rain passing through after dark.
Oct 11: The lake was metallic blue with whitecaps and waves coming from the unusual direction of the east. Waves continued to build throughout the day reinforced by the wind until they were 3-4ft by evening. Temperature ranged from the 40's to the upper 50's.
Oct 10: We had a little sun, a little rain, a little bit of clouds, and a little bit of overcast skies today. There was a high of 62 down by the lake.
Oct 9: Croftville had a beautiful fall day with highs in the low 60's and plenty of sun. It sometimes even felt hot in the sunlight. A sky blue Lake Superior had 6" waves just big enough to break on the shore rocks.
Oct 8: It was cold this morning when I woke up and only 36. I think that is our first night in the 30's this fall right along the lake even though inland has seen colder temperatures several weeks ago. Temperatures rose nicely into the 50's and we had partly cloudy skies and a blue and surprisingly calm Lake Superior.
Oct 7: It was a stunning fall day with clear skies, a deep blue rippling lake, and a high of 62 in Croftville. The leaves are in full color down by Superior and are probable just past peak inland. Strong winds picked up in the later afternoon which quickly generated waves and whitecaps from the SW.
Oct 6: It rained hard again last night. We must have got well over 2 inches in the last couple days. Today was overcast with a high of 54. Waves began to subside this morning and the lake was nearly calm by sunset. The beach has a new supply of driftwood after the big waves from the last few days.
Oct 5: Rain, wind, and waves. With the strong winds throughout the day most of the rain was horizontal. The wind was absolutely relentless and impaled you with the precipitation. Lake Superior had 4-5ft waves that thundered onto the shore. You can see the band of brown water along the perimeter due to the churning of the sediment. The water turns to a geeenish gray as you look out further.
Oct 4: The waves on Lake Superior continue to pick up in intensity and are 3ft from the SE. There is a strong persistent wind from the NE and temperatures in the 50's. Once in awhile the sun broke through the cloud formations to warm us up briefly.
Oct 3: The rain never developed today as they had predicted. We had mostly overcast skies but you could see the line of rain and the black stormclouds across the lake in northern Wisconsin. The waves are picking up in intensity and have changed direction and are now coming from the ESE.
Oct 2: It was another beuatiful fall day in Croftville today. There were 1ft waves with a few whitecaps from the SSW. The waves reflected the sunlight leaving a band of blazing white on the lake beneath the sun. The rest of the lake was a dazzling blue with a green tint as you got closer to the shore. Rain began shortly after sunset. They are predicting lots of rain and large waves on Superior for the next couple days.
Oct 1: We only had a low of 54 last night which is really quite warm for this time of year. Lake Superior has smooth 1ft waves from the SE that just break before hitting the shore. This morning has beautiful cloud formations that are brilliant white on top but a dark bluish gray on the bottom. There is definately moisture in them and several times this morning we have had simultaneous sun and light rain. The reflection of the sun off the blue gray lake is totally blinding.
September 2013
Sept 30: September ends with a beautiful fall day in the 60's. We had some overcast skies at times but mostly sun. Lake Superior had modest 1ft waves from the SE and was an array of blues with tints of copper and purple at times.
Sept 29: We were back to 1ft waves from the SE today. It was a beautiful fall day with a high of 60 and plenty of sun. Lake Superior changed colors several times during the day but was generally blue with silver highlights.
Sept 28: The waves on Superior grew dramatically during the night. This morning we had 4ft waves from the south. The waves maintained 3 to 4ft throughout the day. These are the largest waves I have seen on the lake for several months. The funny thing is that there were no whitecaps out there, the waves never broke until they got close to the shore. It is fun to here Superior roaring again after what has been a fairly subdued body of water for quite a while. It rained hard for about 4-5 hours this afternoon.
Sept 27: We had a gray lake, 1ft waves, and a high of 65 in Croftville. There were 2 light rains the latter of which drove us in from the camp fire we were enjoying.
Sept 26: Fog was still here this morning and the temperatures were pretty balmy for this time of year with a 58 this morning and rising into the 60's. Before the fog had a chance to burn off we traveled to Hibbing for a race. It was surprising to see how advanced the fall colors are away from the shore. The reds are particularly deep and vibrant this year.
Sept 25: Fog is the news for today. We had sun early in the morning and then the fog rolled in and lingered all day long. Lake Superior had gray 1ft waves from the SE when you could see them.
Sept 24: With a low of 42 and a high of 62, Croftville enjoyed a beautiful fall day with plenty of sunshine and ever changing cloud formations. Lake Superior was a deep sky blue with 2ft waves that broke loudly on the shore.
Sept 23: The waves become sonorous during the night and I foulnd myself laying awake just listening to them. To my surprise, by morning they were only 1ft from the SE. Lake Superior was a spectacular blue with dark purple shadows. The skies were mostly sunny with some striking clouds.
Sept 22: It was a beautiful day along Lake Superior for the first day of fall. There were partly cloudy skies with plenty of sun. They lake was a purplish blue with 1-2ft waves from the SE and infrequent whitecaps. Temps started at 42 but quickly rose into the low 60's.
Sept 21: There was a beautiful harvest moon rise last night as the overcast skies dissipated to a partly cloudy evening and the temperatures plummeted into the low 40's along the lake. Today Superior was mostly calm with a purplish blue surface that was dark against the horizon and light and reflective nearer the shore. We had partly coudy low hanging but thin clouds drifting past and a high of 55.
Sept 20: Croftville had an overcast fall day today with a high of 62. The sun worked its way through the clouds at times and in retaliation the clouds managed a ligth rain at times. Lake Superior was a uniform light gray with 6" to 1ft waves from the south.
Sept 19: Wow, did it rain today. I heard we had up to 3.5". It misted in the morning, there were 2 huge downpours during the afternoon, and then several light rains during the evening. There was a lot of fog over the lake, it was surprinsingly warm staying in the 60's even in the evening, and humid by North Shore standards.
Sept 18: Overcast and drizzle best descibes the weather today in Croftville. Temperatures climbed into the 60's and Superior was relatively calm with a uniformly light gray surface.
Sept 17: It was a breezy day along Lake Superior. Deep blue 2ft waves from the south with whitecaps and black shadows were loud as they buffeted the shore. The day started in the 40's and warmed into the 60's.
Sept 16: Lake Superior had 1-2ft waves from the SSE. The lake was blue with the mostly sunny fall day.
Sept 15: I can really begin to notice sunrise arriving later and later. Out the door at 7:00am it is actually not quite light enough to work outside anymore. We had a light rain all night long and woke up to 44 degrees this morning. Lake Superior has 2ft smooth waves from the ESE. The surface is blue gray with dark gray shadows and white highlights. There is a striking and ominous looking cloudbank over the southern end of the lake. Once the sun rose above it the lake is blinding white from the sun's reflection.
Sept 14: There are loud 2ft gray waves on Lake Superior today from the south. They are churning up the sediment and creating a brownish gray band along the shore. The horizon is actually darker than the lake today which must mean there is heavy cloud cover to the south compared with our lightly overcast skies. In spite of the overcast skies the surface of the lake is really reflecting the diffused light. Temps are in the 60's and we have a brisk wind.
Sept 13: It was a gourgeous brisk day in Croftville today. The high was in the low 60's, there was a constant light wind, and plenty of sun. Lake Superior was steel blue with a few whitecaps on the 1-2ft waves from the SSE.
Sept 12: The lake was pretty calm today with a textured surface but no discernable direction for waves. The surface was a deep sky blue except near the shore were it took on a translucent aqua hue.
Sept 11: We had a fine fall day with temperaures in the low 70's and enough sun to make you sweat working ourdoors. Lake Superior was a steel blue with a scattering of small whitecaps on the 1ft plus waves.
Sept 10: The skies looked like rain today but all we got was a little mist. Lake Superior had 1ft waves from the SE with a generally gray surface with silvers and greens.
Sept 9: We had rain today in Croftville. Rain of every kind: drizzle, heavy, lightning storm, downpours, light steady rain, etc. Luckily last night we sat out and enjoyed a fire, a few stars, and the pounding waves from pitch dark lake. Today Lake Superior has 1ft waves from the SE with a greenish gray surface. Temperatures stayed in the low 60's all day in spite of southern Minnesota being in the 90's.
Sept 8: The waves on Lake Superior made a drastic shift overnight and are now coming way from the ESE with 1-2ft amplitude. The crests of the waves are blinding white with the reflection from the sun. The rest of the surface is a bluish gray with greenish gray shadows. We have high cirrus clouds overhead. Temps rebounded into the 60's after overnight temperatures in the 40's.
Sept 7: We traveled down the shore to Duluth today. Lake Superior had a haze over it all day long. I think the haze was primarily from the humidity in the air. Temperatures were in the 70's by 9:00am and stayed in the 70's all day. Lake Superior was a silvery blue with the indirect light reflecting off it.
Sept 6: It was a clear day over the lake but with striking cloud formations on the south side. Lake Superior was a silvery blue, with at most 6" waves, and blinding at times with the reflecting sun. Fall can be seen all around us. I noticed that the Juneberry (serviceberry) trees have really turned gold in the last 2 days.
Sept 5: Croftville was overcast for most of the day. Lake Superior had 1ft gray waves still from the south. Temperatures started in the 40's and made it to the 60's. There were frost warning up on the Gunflint.
Sept 4: The waves grew last night to a steady 2ft and could keep a light sleeper awake. Today the waves were still near 2ft from the south. Temperatures rose into the 60's in the sun but felt a lot cooler in the shade. Signs of fall colors are beginning in the Moose maple and the birch trees. It was a great day to be outside.
Sept 3: Lake Superior was my favorite color today, it was a steel blue with blinding silver highlights, and occasional whitecaps. 1-2ft waves were from the south and roared from the lake. There was a strong breeze, lots of sun, beautiful rapid moving clouds, and a high in the upper 60's. A perfect fall day on Croftville Road.
Sept 2: We had a drop dead gorgeous early fall day. Mostly sunny skies, cottonball clouds, morning temps in the low 50's, and afternoon temps just making 70. Lake Superior was waveless but with a highly textured surface of dark blues, white highlights, and black shadows.
Sept 1: Lake Superior had a feeling of fall to it today. The lake had a touch of turbulence and you could watch gusts of wind crossing the surface. At times the lake was a stark blue and at others a strk gray. 1ft waves came straight in from the SSE and the wind kept changing directions. Stormclouds past by intermittently through the day but there was no repeat of the lightning and heavy rain from last night. Temperatures made it to the 70's by late morning but then cooled back into the 60's this afternoon.
August 2013
Aug 31: August leaves Croftville with all day long overcast skies followed by heavy showers after sunset. Lake Superior had formidable waves that could be heard last night but they subsided to 6" grayish silver waves for the day from the south. We had a high of 70.
Aug 30: There was a beautilful summer day on Croftville Road today. The lake is blue with silver highlights and black shadows. We had 6" waves from the south not large enough for any whitecaps.
Aug 29: Today is overcast, relatively warm (mid 70's), and rainy. Lake Superior is calm and light gray with bands of textured surfaces that eventually disappear into the fog hanging over the lake. Heavier rain and possible lightning is expected for this afternoon.
Aug 28: I had to take a trip to Duluth today. It was so hot up on top of the hill in Duluth, but as we drove down the hill the temperature dropped 15 degrees. There was a lot of fog all the way down the shore from Grand Marais to Duluth and back again. I don't think I saw the horizon all day long.
Aug 27: I've heard reports of 90 plus degrees up on the Gunflint Trail today. However, here in Croftville we had sun, warmth, and a high of about 73 for the day. Lake Superior is this amazing modifier of the weather and on day's like this it is especially pronounced.
Aug 26: We had some overnight showers again and a warm day in the upper 70's. Lake Superior had a lingering fog over it that prevented us from usually seeing the horizon. The lake was relatively calm and gray. Occasionally breezes would come off the lake and drop the temperature 10-15 degrees in a minute.
Aug 25: It was warm last night with temperatures still above 70 this morning. We have a silver blue lake with green shadows for the 1ft smooth waves from the SSE. The lake really roared last night. I am guessing there must have been 2ft waves during the early morning lightning storm that dropped rain for about an hour. Temps today have risen to 85.
Aug 24: Lake Superior was a silver gray today with 1ft waves. We had a mostly sunny day with a high of 78. The odd thing was that that high mantained itself into the evening. Waves began to pick up after dark.
Aug 23: We turned the furnace on last night when temps dropped into the low 50's. Today, however the full sun got us back up into the mid 70's. Lake Superior only mustered 6" waves that were barely audible as they hit the shore.
Aug 22: The humidity relented today and the high was back in the 70's on Croftville Road. It was a beautiful clear summer day. A deep blue Lake Superior had 1ft waves from the SE with silver highlights and black shadows. We watched the waning full moon rise over the lake.
Aug 21: Humid and hot. I cannot remember the last time it made it over 90 down by the Lake Superior shore but it did it this afternoon. The day started in the 50's and cooled back down to the low 70's by evening. However, it was cooking inbetween. Lake Superior was a silver blue with 6" waves from the south.
Aug 20: Humid and warm. Those are not words you here along the shore very often but it does describe Croftville today at least by North Shore standards. Although the temperatures started in the 50's this morning we made into the low 80's today and you could tell there was humidity in the air by the way you sweated while working in the sun. As sun set there was a haze over the shore that partially obscured the rising full moon. Lake Superior had only ripples today on a uniform silver blue lake.
Aug 19: The skies forebode rain today but we ended up with just a few light showers in the morning and then nothing in spite of stormy looking skies alternating with sun the rest of the day. Temperatures finally ascended into the low 70's. Lake Superior was a silverish blue and had 1ft waves from the SE.
Aug 18: 1-2ft waves from the south reminded us how beautiful whitecaps are and how loud Lake Superior's voice can be. The lake was a stark blue with black shadows and white breaking waves. Closer to shore the lake took on a transluscent greenish blue hue. Highs were again in the lower 60's.
Aug 16: Lake Superior was a silver blue and glass today. The sky was clear and light sky blue that became almost white at the horizon. Temperatures were comfortable and climbed into the upper 60's along the lake.
Aug 15: I could just say ditto. It was a georgeous summer day with temps in the 60's, a gentle breeze off Superior, 1ft waves from the SSW, and clear skies. The lake was a vibrant blue with black shadows.
Aug 14: It was a beautiful summer day along Lake Superior today. The lake was a stunning blue with black shadows against a pale blue sky at the horizon. There was not a cloud in the sky and we had 1ft waves from the SSW. The gentle breeze off the lake kept the temperatures in then 60's. Near twilight, a striking cloud front passed by with an amazing array of colors produced by the near setting sun.
Aug 13: Well, I didn't get to see the meteor shower last night because I fell asleep. Lake Superior was again a calm blue gray today. The weather was a repeat of yesterday with partly sunny, partly overcast, and highs in the 60's. I was struck by how quiet it is without the sound of the lake after working with the noises of construction most of the day.
Aug 12: Lake Superior was a calm blue gray today. Temperatures were on the upper 60's and it was partly sunny and partly overcast. The horizon line was a pale blue. I hope to stay up for the meteor shower tonight but judging by how tired I am right now I think my chances are remote.
Aug 11: It was mostly sunny today along Lake Superior except for a couple sprinkles scattered through the day. A silver blue Lake Superior had 6" waves from the south just big enough to hear as they hit the shore. Our low was in the 50's and our high in the 60's.
Aug 10: Lake Superior was light blue and calm today. We had plenty of sun and temperatures may have brushed 70 by late afternoon.
Aug 9: Croftville had a drop dead beautiful mostly sunny summer day. Lake Superior had 1ft waves from the SSE with blue water and silver highlights. Temperatures peaked in the mid 60's.
Aug 8: They said there was rain coming for sure today but it only amounted to a few sprinkles in the afternoon. It was another beautiful day with mostly cloudy skies, a little sun, and temperatures starting in the 40's and making in into the low 60's. Lake Superior had 1ft waves from the south with blue water and black shadows.
Aug 7: Lake Superior was mostly a silver piece of glass today with patches of rough textures. There was no wind, plenty of sun, and a high in the low 60's.
Aug 6: It was back to sunny skies, highs in the 60's, a calm glassy light blue lake, and a pleasant breeze off the lake.
Aug 5: There was a change in weather today in Croftville. Lake Superior was calm and a pale gray. We had rain in the morning and overcast skies in the afternoon. Temperatures didn't make it out of the mid 60's.
Aug 4: Our string of beautiful weather continues today. Mostly sunny skies, a light breeze, and a high of 72. Lake Superior was a deep sky blue with purple shadows against the 1ft waves coming straigh in from the SSE.
Aug 3: The annual Fisherman's Picnic is going strong in Grand Marais and producing an unusual amount of foot traffic on the Croftville Road. I think people have the urge to get away from the crowds for awhile and take a walk along the lake. The lake is light sky blue with a dark navy narrow band at the horizon. The lake is nearly glass apart from the occasional wake from a boat passing by. Temperatures started the day in the 40's and rose to a comfortable 76 with mostly clear skies.
Aug 2: The beautiful days continue to rack up along the shore in Croftville. Temperatures rose into the 80's with a clear sky. Lake Superior had 1ft waves from the south and was a beautiful deep sky blue.
Aug 1: We had a repeat of the perfect summer day from yesterday. Lake Superior today was an aqua blue with navy blue highlights and 1ft waves from the SSE. There was a nice breeze but temperatures still managed to climb from the 50's to the 70's by midafternoon. There were mostly sunny skies with occasional white cumulus clouds drifting by.
July 2013
July 31: The shore along the lake had a picture perfect summer day. There were mostly sunny skies dotted scantily with cotton ball clouds. Lake Superior had 1ft waves from the south with a bright blue surface and dark purple highlights. Temperatures started in the low 50's this morning and ramped up to the low 80's until ramping back down near eveing.
July 30: Croftville Road had rain in the morning and warm mostly cloudy skies in the afternoon. Temps made it to the low 70's. Lake Superior was a monotone grayish blue with a rippled surface.
July 29: We had a beautiful summer day on Croftville Road. Lake Superior was a robin's egg blue with only ripples on its surface. Temperatures rose to the upper 60's and the sky was clear. We saw a rare, at least for this type of weather, ore freighter passing by about a mile out.
July 28: Today was about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday and the skies sometimes looked like the sun might peek out. However, our sun was shy and the skies remained lightly overcast leaving the surface of Superior a dark gray. The Coast Guard went by several times. We found out that guests at Opel's had swamped a canoe out on Superior. They are lucky someone saw them do it or they wouldn't be alive. One must have the proper respect for this icy cold body of water even when it is calm like today.
July 27: It was cold again today with temps in the 50's. The skies looked like it could rain but the worst that happened was some mist. Lake Superior was gray with 6" waves against a gray horizon.
July 26: It was cold today with temperatures staying in the low 50's during the day. Rain threatened us all day long but in the end only managed to spit on us a little with overcast skies and storm fronts passing overhead. Lake Superior was gray with 1ft waves.
July 25: Rain and fog was the news for the day. I couldn't even see Lake Superior 80ft away when I got up. Temperatures started in the low 50's and climbed into the low 60's. The lake surface was calm and gray when you could see it.
July 24: We had sun today. We had rain today. Sometimes we had them both at the same time. Lake Superior was calm with just ripples from the SSE. There were some extraordinary clouds to watch as they passed by us over the lake. Temperatures stayed in the 60's.
July 23: The day started warm in the low 70's and then dropped back into the 60's by noon. Lake Superior is a light purplish blue except for the dark navy blue band near the horizon. There are 6" waves coming straight in from the SSE. Skies are mostly cloudy.
July 22: Lake Superior had 1-2ft waves today from the south. The high was in the 70's with mostly sunny skies.
July 21: A bit cooler today with our temperatures staying in the 60's in Croftville. We had a beautiful calm blue lake with a dark blue band near the horizon. Partly cloudy skies and a light breeze made for a gourgeous summer day along Lake Gitche Gumee. July 20: Lake Superior just had ripples for waves from the SSW. Clear skies and temperatures in the 60's and low 70's along the lake.
July 19: We woke up to sun after a night of lightning and heavy rain. It was a beautiful day in Croftville with patches of cumulus clouds passing through a partly sunny blue sky. The sky was reflected by Superior which had 1ft waves with black highlights from the SSW. There was a brisk breeze that kept what might have been a hot day (low 80's) quite comfortable.
July 18: It was a day (and night) of awesome thunderstorms. We had over 3" of rain. The fog was so heavy on the lake most of the day that we could not see the lake from our cottages. The lake was suprisingly calm considering the volatile weather over it. The most spectacular thunderstorm front passed through around 5pm. The sky was black and it became like nightime as it approached. First came the stillness, (the calm before), then came the wind, and finally the lightning and rain. The black thunderheads soared into the sky.
July 17: It was hot along Croftville Road today with temperatures in the 80's until the thunderstorms past through and cooled us down into the lower 70's. Lake Superior is calm, a silvery blue, with deep blue highlights in the ripples. The lake and sky are stratified with many layers, each with subtle differences in color. The is a pale blue gray layer just above the dark gray horizon line.
July 17: It was hot along Croftville Road today with temperatures in the 80's until the thunderstorms past through and cooled us down into the lower 70's. Lake Superior is calm, a silvery blue, with deep blue highlights in the ripples. The lake and sky are stratified with many layers, each with subtle differences in color. The is a pale blue gray layer just above the dark gray horizon line.
July 16: Our guests had a morning fire and breakfast down on the shore. I think it was the first morning fire this summer. It made me think of breakfasts in the boundary waters (BWCA), which unfortunately is not in the cards for me this summer with our expansion project.
July 15: The rain never came until late this afternoon. Croftville had temperatures in the 60's, a foggy lake, and a calm surface.
July 14: The streak of calm on Lake Superior continues. Temperatures stayed in the low 60's today and they are predicting rain later tonight.
July 13: My memory may be playing tricks on me, but watching the calm lake today I started thinking that we have had an unusually large number of calm days on the lake this spring and summer. Lake Superior had only ripples on it which you could only see when down by the water because of the fog and mist in the air. It was 2:00 before the dew finally left. Temperatures were in the upper 60's most of the day.
July 12: The sky and lake were seamless this afternoon. It was just one solid pale blue field. Part of the reason behind this may have been the general level of haze in the air. The word is that this haze is due to fires in the west and Canada. It was in the mid 80's inland but stayed in the mid 60's down here near the shore. Lake Superior was calm.
July 11: Croftville enjoyed a beautiful summer day with generally clear skies and temperatures reaching the low 70's. However, we have an unusual abundance of mosquitoes which are rarely a nuissance close to Lake Superior's shore.
July 10: What a difference a day can make. Today it was partly cloudy with lots of sun, temperatures rose into the upper 70's along the shore, and Lake Superior was a deep sky blue. Lake Superior had 1ft waves from the SSW with gusts of wind blowing out onto it.
July 9: It never even got close to 60 today on the Croftville Road. It was heavily overcast with on and off rain that was heavy at times. Lake Superior was calm and the surface of the lake could not be distinguished from the gray fog lying just off the shore. Try as I might, I just couldn't keep warm today.
July 8: Lake Superior has only ripples on its very pale purplish blue surface. You can faintly make out the hazy horizon, I think, but it could be an optical illusion. The sky is bright white but nonetheless overcast.
July 7: It stayed overcast all day long with heavy fog out on the lake but it never came into shore. There was a healthy breeze that was most of the time off the lake keeping the temperatures in the low 50's. We had 1-2ft gray waves with infrequent whitecaps from the SE.
July 6: The rain started in the afternoon and continued through the night. It was quite heavy at times and was accompanied with thunder and lightning. Temperatures were in the 60's and the lake had 6" to 1ft silver gray waves from the south. July 5: We had a clear, warm summer day on Croftville Road today. Temperatures fluctuated between the 50's and 70's depending on the direction of the breeze off the lake. Lake Superior was a light sky blue with 6" smooth waves from the SSE. The lilacs are in full bloom and the lupines are now coming into bloom.
July 4: I can't really distinguish today where Lake Superior ends and the sky begins. It is a clear day but there is a haze over the lake that seamlessly blends the calm pale blue lake with the pale blue sky at the horizon. The sun has warmed us into the mid 70's near the lake. There are blotches of glass and blotches of a textured surface on the lake.
July 3: Lake Superior is calm and pale blue against a clear blue sky. Temperatures climbed into the 60's.
July 2: Today I drove to Duluth. Temperatures by the lake stayed in the 50's but driving up the hill in Duluth quickly moved us into the low 80's. Lake Superior was mostly calm with 6" waves at the most and was a sky blue.
July 1: Lake Superior today was a steel blue with 1ft waves from the south. There was a nice breeze that kept it cool by the lake but the sun managed to get us into the 60's.
June 2013
June 30: Lake Superior was calm with a pale blue surface that had just a hint of purple in it. Temperatures were in the upper 60's and although sunny, never became completely clear. I heard the lingering haze may be from fires in Manitoba.
June 29: Wow, we had not even got to 70 this year down by the lake but today it made it to the low 80's for awhile this afternoon. Of course, the breeze came in off the lake and cooled it back down into the 60's with due haste. Lake Superior today is pretty calm with ripple coming straight in from the SSE. A thin layer of fog has refused to burn off completely all day with wisps of it passing through our yard every now and then. The lake is an unusual pale periwinkle in color and the horizon is very fuzzy.
June 28: We had another day of thunderstorms but at least today the sun came out at times. Temperatures were in the upper 60's and by North Shore standards it was almost muggy. The lake was calm and a pale blue gray most of the day.
June 27: It is the same story today. Thunderstorms, bouts of heavy rain, and lots of fog. Our lilac blossoms are starting to flower out. I noticed they had started flowering in Grand Marais last week. Temperatures are hovering in the 50's.
June 26: It was thunderstorms, heavy rain, and dense fog along Croftville Road today. Lake Superior itself remained fairly calm with little more than ripples coming from the SSW. The fog was so heavy that visibility in the afternoon and evening was about 50ft. I watched the fog bank over the lake that looked like a glacier.
June 25: It was a repeat of the beautiful summer day of yesterday. The calm lake formed interesting horizontal bands of texture and color. There was one band of shimmering white glass midway between the shore and the horizon.
June 24: A high of 62, clear sunny skies, and a relatively calm blue lake. This beautiful day feels like summer which we have not seen many glimpses of yet this year.
June 23: Could that be sunshine that finally showed up around 5pm today? Before the sun peeked out behind the partly cloudy skies, the day had been gray, foggy, and overcast. Lake Superior has silver gray 1ft waves from the SSE.
June 22: Croftville had light rain, overcast skies, and temps in the 50's today. Superior had a heavy fog sitting over its 6" metallic gray waves.
June 21: For all practical purposes, the rain still has not stopped. It is a steady, soaking rain that is heavy at times. Temperatures are in the low 50's, a heavy fog lies out over the lake, and we have silver blue 1ft waves from the SE.
June 20: Rain started about 8:30 last night and for all practical purposes didn't stop all day long. There is a heavy fog that is rising off the lake and at times comes into shore and drops visibility to 100ft or less. Lake Superior (what little you can see of it) is a silver blue with 1ft waves from the SE. Temperatures were in 50's.
June 19: Croftville enjoyed a gorgeous day today. Sunny skies with huge cumulus clouds passing through from time to time. We had highs in the 60's but the morning started at 42. Lake Superior was a deep blue and ripples on the surface.
June 18: Lake Superior was calm today with 2 horizontal equally spaced bands. The further out band near the horizon was a shiny light blue. The band near the shore was a grayish blue with a textured surface. Temperatures didn't make it out of the mid-50's.
June 17: Croftville Road was suny in the morning and overcast in the afternoon. A haze could be seen over the calm lake that may be a distant fog cover. It was cold in the low 50's but some of us sat warming ourselves by the fire.
June 16: A warm front came in overnight gettting our temperatures into the 60's today along the lake. However, the warm front also brought wind, and intense popcorn thunderstorms all through the afternoon and into the evening. We even had pea size hail come dow bout 5 minutes which was just enough time to briefly cover the grass. The winds helped to agitate the lake with 1-2ft dark blue gray waves. The layering of the cloud formations was truly spectacular.
June 15: We had a picture perfect day on Croftville Road yesterday afternoon with sun and a deep blue rippling lake. Overnight we had rain continuing into the morning. As evening began it got cold and was 42 degrees at 9pm. The weather can just change so quickly. June 14: It is a beautiful mostly clear day here in Croftville. Blue skies, a deep blue lake, 6" to 1ft waves from the SE, and temps in the low 60's. What I think is a distant bank of fog over Superior is creating the illusion that we can see land at the horizon.
June 13: Another calm day on Lake Superior with ripples from the SSW. Although we have clear skies, the skies over the lake is hazy leaving Superior a pale blue color. Temperatures stayed in the 50's most of the day but managed to just hit 60 for a high. The Canada geese are going wild flying by.
June 12: The lake calmed during the night and I was woke by the absence of the breaking water. The lake has stayed calm all day with rippled in the direction of the SSW. It is sunny with a hazy blue sky against the robin egg's blue lake. Temperatures climbed into the 60's.
June 11: I was told by many people that up over the hill it was sunny and warm this morning. But down by Lake Superior it cold with a heavy fog limiting visibility to a couple hundred yards. However, by noon the sun had burned the fog off of the shore and pushed it out over the lake. That left us with clear skies and a sun that quickly warmed things up into the 60's. The part of Lake Superior that was not obscured by fog had a steel blue surface, black shadows, and white highlights with 1ft waves from the SSW.
June 10: Brrr... It was another cold day along the lake. Never even saw 50 and with a light breeze it felt even cooler. Superior was realtively calm with ripples.
June 9: It was a cooler day today with temperatures in the 40's and squeaking out a high of 50 down by the lake. Lake Superior was calm with small ripples on its light blue surface. Rain began later in the afternoon and continued all night. We watched what is either a large crow or small raven foraging for worms in the yard. One of our guests said they saw him trying to go after the hummingbirds at their feeder but the hummingbirds were too quick and agile for him.
June 8: Lake Superior was glass today. Not even a ripple to be seen on its surface. A light mist could be seen rising off the water blending seamlessly the pale horizon line with the pale blue lake. Temperatures were back down in the 50's but we did manage a high of 57.
June 7: Do I dare say that it feels like summer today? Temperatures were in the 60's. Hooray! The skies were clear and sunny. We had small 6" waves from the SE with a sky blue lake surface with silver highlights.
June 6: Gitche Gumi was calm today. It was one of those days in which the separation between the lake and the sky if difficult to see. It was lightly overcast, the lake was a pale blue, and there was some fog or mist that could been seen over the lake. Temperatures were still in the low 50's.>br>
June 5: Lake Superior was glass this morning and stayed calm throughout the day with only ripples on the surface. It was lightly overcast all day casting a gray hue on the surface of the lake. Temperatures refused to leave the lower 50's which is graet working and hiking weather but mighty cold if you want to sit and relax.
June 4: In spite of the cold temperatures of 40's overnight and low 50's during the day, the forest is really starting to green up in full force. Although the mountain ash and elderberrries budded weeks ago, it is only in the last few days that I have noticed them with all their leaves. Superior had 1ft waves from the SSW switching from gray to blue as the sky switched from sun to overcast.
June 3: It was a beautiful sunny day in Croftville. The lake was a stark blue with dark gray shadows and had 1ft waves from the SSW. It was warm in the sun but cold in the shade with temperatures still in the low 50's by afternoon and dropping back down in the 40's by suppertime. We came close to a frost here on the lake overnight.
June 2: Lake Superior had 1-2ft waves from the SSW today. Skies were sometimes overcast and sometimes sunny. We keep hoping for some summerlike temperatures but it might be time to just be thankful for the low 50's and not expect anything more. The aspens are now leafed out with their young light green leaves and our lilacs are finally budding out.
June 1: June arrived with cold temperatures, the high barely made it to 50 today on Croftville Road. We had rain in the morning and rain in the afternoon with overcast skies all day. Lake Superior had a thick bank of fog out on the gray and relatively calm lake.
May 2013
May 31: We had an amazing wind, thunder, and rain storm come across the lake from the SSW around 5:00 this afternoon. The swirls of black and white from the storm front had such intricate patterns in them. It started with a wind and big drops coming down so hard that at first I thought it was sleet or hail. Lake Superior was all white caps when that intense wind that ushered in the storm hit. After about 10 minutes the wind subsided somewhat and the storm turned into a good heavy steady rain. Looks like the rain will last for quite awhile.
May 30: Overnight, the aspens now have the small light green leaves on them. It is such a beautiful color and it lasts only a short time before the leaves grow and turn to the darker mature color. Croftville had rain showers that just popped up out of nowhere several times today. A layer of fog could be seen hovering out over Superior. The lake is a metallic gray with 1-2ft waves from the SE.
May 29: Gitche Gumi is calm today with small 6" smooth waves from the SE. The lake is pale blue against a pale blue horizon and you can barely make out the line separating the two. There have been bouts of fog that have creeped in and out on the shore all day long. The skies overhead are clear and the temps just refuse to move from the low 50's.
May 28: Once again Lake Superior has 1ft waves from the SE. It was sunny and the sun felt good on your face. However, the temperatures stayed in the low 50's all day long in spite of the sun. It feels good to be outside as long as you are moving about, but sit down for a rest and you become chilled to the bone.
May 27: Lake Superior has 1ft waves from the SE today. The lake began the day a silver gray with purple shadows but after the sun came out it turned to a bright blue with black shadows. Temperatures are pleasant but just can't make it out of the 50's.
May 26: The full moon was so bright last night that it was more like day than night. The reflection off the lake seemed like a spotlight directed straight at you. Today we have plenty of sun and a silvery blue lake set against an almost white horizon. The lake is pretty calm with 6" waves from the SE. Highs today are expected to be in the upper 50's.
May 25: Today was lightly overcast with the sun trying hard to force its way out. Superior was blue with black highlights and 1ft waves from the SE. The lilacs are starting to leaf out.
May 24: The buds are finally appearing on the birch trees. The hummingbirds are here now in full force. Temperatures are in the 50's with sun and clear skies. The sky blue lake has 6" to 1ft waves from SE with silver highlights and black shadows.
May 23: Lake Superior had clear skies, 6" waves from the SSE, and a textured blue surface with black shadows and blue highlights. There was a cold breeze off of the lake and it stayed in the 40's all day long.
May 22: We traveled to Duluth today for a track meet. It rained all the way down and it rained all day at UMD. Temperatures were in the 50's and low 60's but sitting in the rain made it cold. Lake Superior was pretty calm with a purplish gray surface.
May 21: Croftville Road had another day of strong winds and rain. Lake Superior had 3-4ft waves from the SE. The surface of the lake had 2 bands, the chocolate colored band near the shore and the grayish purple band further out speckled with whitecaps. Temperatures were in the 50's and low 60's.
May 20: Tremendous gusts of wind, lightning, rain, and thunder buffeted Lake Superior and its shore last night. This morning the waves had grown to 3-4ft from the SE. Lake Superior had 3 horizontal bands. The first band looked like root beer from the runoff and the churning of the water near the shore. The second band was a narrow transluscent aqua blue region. The last band was a dark puple highlighted with huge whitecaps out as far as you could see.
May 19: Croftville had rain on and off all day with overcast skies. Lake Superior was a purplish gray with waves growing throughot the day to 2-3ft from the SE. Strong winds picked up in the late afternoon and temperatures rose with the wind to 62 degrees after being on the low 50's the rest of the day.
May 18: Rain began in the morning and rained lightly all day long. Lake Superior was a silver gray with 1-2ft waves. There was a heavy fog over the lake during the night. We woke up hearing the fog horn from I think the Grand Marais harbor about every 10 minutes. It sounded so close that it is hard to think that the horn was coming from 3 miles away. One really fails to appreciate how well those low frequency sounds can carry over the surface of a lake.
May 17: The aspen are really budding now but no sign of buds on the birch yet. The lake had 1-2ft blue waves on it. High temperatures were in the low 50's. We put the hummingbird feeders out today and hope to see some soon.
May 16: Lake Superior was calm with only ripples on its surface today. Temperatures started in the 40's and made it into the 60's before quickly dropping back into the 40's in the evening. Most of the day there was a seamless connection between the blue lake and the lighter blue sky. Fog and water vapor off the surface of the lake blended them together. The mountain ash are really budding now and buds on the aspens have began to appear rapidly after the hot day yesterday.
May 15: Strong winds, a turbulent lake, and hot temperatures graced the North Shore today. The temperatures rose in the 70's. Large cumulus clouds provided comforting shade between the bouts of the hot sun. Lake Superior had 2-3ft waves from unusual oblique direction of the SSW. We saw several ore freighters hugging the shore today presumably because of the winds.
May 14: We had mostly clear skies, a blue lake with 1-2ft waves from the south, and cold temperatures in the 40's most of the day. Then at 5:00pm the temperatures started rising and got to 62 by sunset. It was still 58 degrees the next morning. The elderberries are following the gooseberries and now have large buds on them.
May 13: We had a frost last night and temperatures only managed to get to the mid 40's today along Croftville Road. The skies were clear this morning but then came fog followed by an overcast sky and even some sleet. The lake has 6" waves from the south and was a dazzling blue this morning.
May 12: Fishing opener and there were no boats passing through Grand Marais this weekend. That has to be a first, but there are still no inland lakes with the ice out. I saw 4 ore freighters pass by today. That is unusual becouse in good weather the freighters usually take the more southernly route. It started in the 30's but made it to a high of 52 today. The skies were sunny, the lake was blue and relatively calm, and that cold brisk wind was gone.
May 11: Snow and sleet were falling in Croftville yesterday. Luckily it was light and the ground is now too warm so there was no accumulation. Temperatures stayed in the low 40's throughout the day. The skies had patches of large dark clouds and sun. There was a powerful wind off the hill with even more impressive gusts. The wind buffeting the lake kept the waves subdued near the shore. You could watch the gusts as they moved out over the textured surface of the lake. Lake Superior was an aqua blue with silver highlights. Away from the shore you could see large waves and whitecaps everywhere. Sunset turned the lake pink.
May 10: The gooseberries are leafing out! Nothing else except the pussy willows even have buds on them yet. It was another day of sunny skies but the brisk wind off the lake kept the temperatures in the 30's and low 40's. The waves on Gitche Gume have changed direction from the SSW and are 2ft in amplitude.
May 9: There were sunny skies but with a wind off the lake it was cold and barely managed to get to 50 degrees. The lake has its voice again with 1ft waves from the SE. Superior was a silver blue against an almost white horizon.
May 8: In spite of 70's reported on the iron range, we are still waiting for our first 60 degree day down here by the lake. In spite of the clear skies this morning we only made it to the low 50's. Lake Superior is glass now for the second day. Looks like overcast skies are taking over this afternoon.
May 7: Lake Superior is glass today and the skies are clear. You can see the lake floor perfectly. The mallards, loons, merganzers, and coots are in heaven swimming back and forth in front of our place. I bet they are anxious for the ice to begin going out in the inland lakes. In the meantime, they are going to need to be patient for awhile longer. Fishermen too!
May 6: Lake Superior was blue with 6" waves from the south. We had clear skies and temperatures in the 30's-50's here on the lake.
May 5: The lake was gray and relatively calm with 6" to 1ft waves, temperatures rose to the low 50's, abd the skies were overcast.
May 4: And yet another day of cold temperatures just making it to the low 40's along Lake Superior. We had rain and heavily overcast skies. The lake was gray and relatively calm with 6" to 1ft waves.
May 3: Another day of cold temperatures in the lower 30's, overcast skies, and occasional light rain in Croftville. Lake Superior was gray with small 1ft waves.
May 2: It was cold, windy, and snowy. Temperatures stayed in the 30's and we woke up with 1" of accumulated snow with flurries continuing all day. We had it easy compared to our neighbors in SE Minnesota who had up to 15" of wet snow to fight with. Lake Superior was a deep gray with 2ft waves from the SSW.
May 1: Our welcome to May was a high of 40 degrees and overcast skies. They say snow is on its way. We made the time to have an afternoon fire and then rekindled it after dinner. We needed a white man's fire (big) to keep us warm as we enjoyed the 1ft waves and the variety of water fowl swimming past us.
April 2013
Apr 30: Afternoon sun was bookended by overcast skies by the lake today. It was cooler today and never made it to 50. Lake Superior had 1-2ft gray waves from the SSE. The morning had our first thunderstorm of the year complete with a brief but intense downpour that included bouts of hail.
Apr 29: We traveled to Duluth today. Lake Superior was a stunning blue and the rivers were the color of root beer with large chunks of ice sailing through them. Watching the swirl of color and textures as the ice and root beer swarmed into the blue lake was amazing. Temperatures were in the 50's all day but didn't quite find 60 here on the lake. We sat out and enjoyed the stars and our first fire of the season last night. The snow is finally gone from the fronts of our cottages.
Apr 28: Although rain threatened at times, today was another beautiful spring day on the Croftville Road. It stayed in the 40's last night and hit the 50's today for the first time I think since January of all times. Talk about mixed up seasons. I saw the first green grass creeping up against the foundations of the cottages. Lake Superior was a deep blue when the sun was out and a silver blue in the overcast sky. It was once again relatively calm with 6" to 1ft waves from the SE.
Apr 27: It was another beautiful spring day in Croftville. The snow is receding, there are partly cloudy skies, and the temperatures were again in the mid 40's. We are still looking for that first 50 degree day. Lake Superior was fairly calm with 6" to 1ft waves and the ducks are having a great time swimming past our shore. The lake is a silver blue with black highlights.
Apr 26: It is a beautiful spring-like day here. Temperatures in the 40's, partly cloudy skies, and 1ft blue waves from the south.
Apr 25: Croftville Road has partly cloudy skies, temperatures in the 40's, and 2ft waves from the SSE. Lake Superior is a dark blue with black shadows against a robin's blue horizon. Everyone in Grand Marais are scared to say the "S" word but we think winter may finally be waning.
Apr 24: Lake Superior is a bluish gray today with 1ft waves from the SSE and dark gray shadows. The skies are partly cloudy and temperatures have hovered in the 30's and low 40's all day.
Apr 23: We had rain and about 1-2" of accumulated wet snow last night. Today was cloudy over the lake, temperatures were in the 40's, and the lake was a bluish gray with 1-2ft smooth waves from the SE. I could see some patches of ice out on the lake but they never made their way into shore.
Apr 22: I woke up not to the sound of the waves but the sound of the snowplow passing by. The lingering of winter of comical. The good news is that it did get into the 40's today which turned most of the new snow to water or slush. Lake Superior had 2ft waves coming straight in from the SSE.
Apr 21: The morning started with sun. Lake Superior was a deep blue with 2ft smooth waves from the SE that didn't break until just before the shore. The sun didn't last long and by 10am we had rain and snow on and off throughout the day with turned to all snow in the evening. There was another 2" of wet heavy snow before I went to bed. Temperatures stayed in the 30's all day long.
Apr 20: The skies started to clear in the west last night and today we do not have a cloud in the sky and a bright sun. Lake Superior is a brilliant deep blue with black shadows against a sky blue horizon. The smooth waves are 1ft and have changed direction coming now from the south. With all that sun you would think it would be warm but we started at 15 degrees by the lake this morning and managed only the upper 30's by late afternoon. I hope this morning may be the end of shoveling snow, but I wouldn't place a bet on it this year.
Apr 19: Lake Superior is a silver gray today with 1-2ft smooth waves from the SE. The sky is again white with snow but we have been able to follow a halo of light that I presume is the sun across the sky throughout the day. Visibility on the Lake varies from about 50 feet to a half mile depending on the intensity of the snow. Temperatures have hovered around 28-30 degrees all day long and the snow has not ended even once today. I say we must have a good 12 inches accumulated wet snow on the ground. I have been saying all day that as a matter of principle I should not have to shovel snow on April 19. However, I have done it once already today and I will no doubt be out doing it yet again.
Apr 18: Lake Superior is a blackish blue today with 2ft smooth rolling waves from the SE. A lot of broken ice piled up on the shore last night and there is a lot more bobbing up and down in the waves the first 100ft from shore. I am not sure where all this ice is coming from. The sky today is white. Why, you ask, because it is snowing once again. 2" was on the ground when I woke up. It changed to a drizzle for awhile this morning and now is snowing heavy once again. I have heard it is to snow all through the night. It is mid April, isn't it?
Apr 17: At least one more sign of spring showed up today in spite of the snowcover, the pussy willows are beginning to bud. Of course, we do have yet another winter storm watch that started at 11:00am and is to last for the next 2 days. There is a healthy wind off the lake and 2-3ft waves with a smattering of whitecaps from the ESE. We saw an ore freighter heading toward Thunder Bay this afternoon. We also saw 2 regions of broken white ice moving in a current westward about 200ft off the shore.
Apr 16: At least I can say there was no measurable snow or rain today. The sun sneaked out a couple times during the day with the high getting into the upper 40's. It is nice to watch the snow turning to slush. Lake Superior was a dark gray with 2ft waves from the ESE.
Apr 15: Last night 6" of wet snow accumulated in Croftville. This morning the snow changed to a light rain and then returned to wet snow for the afternoon. This cycle of snow continues with more predictions of snow throughout the week. What a bizaar spring. Lake Superior had 2ft waves on a dark gray surface with no visible horizon.
Apr 14: With that great renewing sigh I came over the top of the hill on Interstate 35 and saw Lake Superior and Duluth laid out in front of us welcoming us back. I was struck by how brown the water at the head of the lake was. Presumably it is the spring runoff from the Saint Louis River. As I headed up the North Shore the lake turned to its beautiful transluscent aqua blue against a partly cloudy backdrop. 2ft waves from the ESE had occasional whitecaps. I am told I outraced another winter storm that followed me all the way from Rochester. They are predicting another 4-10 inches of snow tonight.
Apr 13: I traveled to southeast Minnesota last night and spent a rare day away from Lake Superior. It was good to see family, but I am struck by how much I was out of sorts being separated from the lake.
Apr 12: And the Minnesota winter that just will not end continues. Well yesterday's large waves from the ESE continued this morning. However, the snow that we thought we had missed finally made it to Minnesota's Northeast tip. 5" of fresh wet snow had fallen by noon and it was back to work with the snow shovel's.
Apr 11: No melting snow today with temperatures just below freezing and a heavily overcast sky. But the real news is the 4ft waves from the ESE and their roar. It has been quite a while since Lake Superior has been this stirred up. Whitecaps are seen all the way out to the horizon against the aqua blue translucent lake surface. They say it is snowing from Duluth south, but it looks like we are going to miss it except for the waves and cool air.
Apr 10: It is pretty much an exact repeat of yesterday. A silver gray Lake with 1-2ft waves from the SE under lightly ovecast skies. There was an ore freighter all lit up passing by shortly before we went to bed.
Apr 9: Our temperatures in the mid 40's have managed to wipe out the recent snows and we are now back to the original snow cover left from winter. Superior is a silver gray today against a white lightly overcast sky. Waves are from the SE with amplitudes of 1-2ft.
Apr 8: Our pattern seems to be set. Once again we started with 2" accumulation of fresh wet snow. Temperatures again rose to the mid 40's turning most of the new snow to slush. Lake Superior was once again a greenish gray with 2 ft waves from the SE.
Apr 7: That 2" accumulation of fresh wet snow turned into 6" yesterday. Our daughter was soaked through and through as she built snowmen and her last snow fort of the year. Temperatures rose into the mid 40's and started turning the snow into slush. Lake Superior was a greenish gray with 2ft waves from the SE.
Apr 6: Croftville has 2 inches accumulation of fresh wet snow on the ground this morning. Big beautiful flakes were coming down hard at daybreak. Superior has 2ft waves from the ESE and it a grayish opague green today.
Apr 5: In spite of the first night in a couple months without temperatures getting below freezing, Lake Superior was calm this morning with a sheet of ice about 100ft off the shore. The day was lightly overcast with a bluish gray surface. Temperatures made it into the mid 40's.
Apr 4: I could hear the waves pick up last night. Today we had 2ft waves coming straight in from the SSE. It was a beautiful spring day with a high of 40, a brisk breeze, and a bright blue lake and sky.
Apr 3: It was 20 degrees this morning with a beautiful red sunrise. The lake was glass and that was almost literally true since there was a thin sheet of ice our as far as I could see. Later in the morning the chinking sound of breaking glass could be heard a small waves began to break the ice up. By late afternoon the ice was gone and the lake took on a gray hue. Temperatures finally made it to 40 as well.
Apr 2: It was cold, windy, and sunny again. Temperatures just made it to 40 degrees. Lake Superior was a deep sky blue and calm with several different patches of textures on its surface.
Apr 1: We have seen 5 ore freighters today and 4 more yesterday afternoon. Two freighters passed each other right in front of Croftville Road Cottages which is pretty rare. I heard that the first salty was to reach Duluth today but we didn't see it pass by. It is cold (just above freezing), windy, and sunny. Lake Superior is a metallic blue with 1ft waves from the SSW.
March 2013
Mar 31: Happy Easter here in Croftville. We watched a ore freighter moving by this morning. There are strong winds with even stronger gusts pushing out on the lake. We also had heavy snow during Easter worship this morning but it was too warm to accumulate. The sun has now came out. Lake Superior is steely blue with 1ft waves from the SSW. Temperatures began the day in the upper 20's and don't look like they will make it past 37 in spite of the bright sun.
Mar 30: I heard it start raining last night. I don't think it has really rained since that warm weather in January. The rain continued until 11 this morning and then the sun tried to come up. But Lake Superior struck back and sent fog to put an end to that. Temperatures stayed in the 40's all day. Lake Superior was calm and had signs of thin sheets of ice on it in spite of the rain.
Mar 29: Sunny sky, a 45 degree high, a calm lake, and ice sheets is what we had along the Croftville Road today. I suspect we may be near the end of finding ice an Lake Superior.
Mar 28: It was another day in Croftville with a cloudless blue sky and a dazzling blue lake. There was however a thin white line on the lake near the horizon. I couldn't tell whether this is a mirage or a band of ice making its way on the lake. The temperature hit 45 today and the lake still had a textured surface but still with no discernable wave direction.
Mar 27: Temperatures are rising and the snow is beginning to melt on Croftville Road. It was near 40 degrees today but still at least 18" of snow cover along the shore. The lake was a bright dazzling blue with a textured surface against a pale baby blue horizon.
Mar 26: There were overcast skies over the lake. The lake was calm and dark. Temperatures climbed near 40 degrees.
Mar 25: We saw another ore freighter pass by today heading toward Duluth. With mostly sunny skies there was melting snow and ice abound.
Mar 24: Lake Superior is again calm but a much paler blue with the overcast skies. Temperatures only got to the low 30's today. We took a trip to Duluth this afternoon and were surprised at the amount of ice at the head of the lake even thought the shipping lanes are open. No ice can be seen here in Grand Marais.
Mar 23: We have a small owl hanging out by our bird feeders. He is not any bigger than the size of a softball when his feathers are all puffed out. He blends in perfectly with the roof of the bird feeder where he is perched. I think he may be interested in the chickadees that are feeding. I often have heard stories of how owls can be on the verge of starving late in the winter. I hope that is not the case with him. This is the 3rd day out of the last 4 that we have spotted him here at the feeder. Lake Superior is calm and blue with highs in the upper 30's.
Mar 22: It feels like spring today with highs in the upper 30's and a bright sun on an almost cloudless day. Lake Superior is bright blue against our heavy sno cover. We have small 6" waves coming straight in from the SSE. No signs of ice today.
Mar 21: We saw the lights of the first ore freighter of the year pass by our windows last night. The freighter was moving up the shore eastward from Duluth and was about a mile out. We had heard they had opened the Sault locks yesterday but it still surprising to see that first ship pass by. It makes the new shipping season real. Lake Superior was still yesterday with ice sheets the size of skating rinks drifting about. The white sheets gave Lake Superior a polka dot appearance against the light blue lake.
Mar 20: It was a cold day today that felt more like January than the first day of spring. We had partly cloudy skies and a high of 21 degrees. Lake Superior was calm but with a textured surface. The color of the lake was a silver blue with blotches of varying shades as clouds passed over.
Mar 19: When I went to bed last night we heard loud cracking and crunching sounds coming from Superior. I suspected that large quarter to half mile shelf of broken ice was starting to break up. Sure enough, when I woke up this morning all that was left was a few small chunks of ice in a clear black lake. The lake was black because I had to get up early to shovel. I bet we had 5 inches of new snow yesterday and the winds this morning were blowing it everywhere even though it felt like they were particularly focusing on my face.
Mar 18: The temperatures maintained 20's all day and the snow came down steadily until late afternoon when it changed to steady and hard. The sheet of ice from yesterday has crumpled into stacked ice shards for a quarter to half mle out. After that the lake was black with just a hint of blue in it. The snow started to acculmulate on the ice which after awhile ended the small undulations of the ice from waves making their way to shore. By late afternoon the ice shelf appeared to have set into one solid chunk.
Mar 17: Wow! did it get cold last night. It was only 4 degrees here on the lake this morning but the sun managed to get it into the low 20's this afternoon. A sheet of ice as far as I could see was heading to shore this morning. It got here about noon from the SE and then pushed westward along the shore grinding and stacking ice on the shore as it went. It also created all sorts of rivers through the ice as sheets broke off and separated. I judged the ice moving west about 3 inches per second around 5:00. Most of the ice near shore was clear and 1-2" thick. However, the ice further out was white with snow and I would guess is considerably thicker..
Mar 16: We traveled down the shore today to Silver Bay before cutting across to Virginia. There were nasty driving conditions the whole way with snow plows clearing and sanding the highways from the overnight snow. It was cold, too. Seemed more like December or January, not the middle of March. Lake Superior was a bluish gray with no ice to be seen.
Mar 15: The lightly overcast skies kept the temperatures in the upper 20's today. Lake Superior was relatively calm and blue.
Mar 14: Lake Superior had a dark blue rippled surface, clear light blue skies, and temperatures in the upper 30's.
Mar 13: It was 10 degrees down by the lake this morning. However, the clear blue skies allowed the sun to warm things up nicely into the upper 30's. Superior only had blue ripples but you could see chunks of ice of all sizes scattered on the surface.
Mar 12: Today we have a fine snow/mist coming down in Croftville. The temperatures are in the mid 20's with a cold wind. Lake Superior has a textured gray surface but no discernable direction for the waves.
Mar 11: Temperatures stayed in the 20's today with heavily overcast skies. Lake Superior had 1ft gray waves from the SE. You can see bands of ice filled water out on the lake. Looks like my daughter's snowman will live for another day.
Mar 10: It was perfect snowman building and snowball throwing conditions today. We had 6" of fresh heavy wet snow and temperatures in the 30's. Unfortunately, it was the worst conditions for snow shoveling. We made the best of the snow shoveling and then my daughter had a great afternoon making an immense snowman and throwing snowballs. Outside it was a winter wonderland with snow sticking to everything. The ice shelf created yesterday by the stormy lake and the adhesive power of the wet snow was eroded in places by the turbulent lake. Every once in a while a piece of the ice shelf would break off and then be pulled out slowly as an island into Superior. The effect was a ice shoreline that would remind you of the fjords in Norway in miniature. Lake Superior was a bluish black today against a dark gray sky and a black horizon line.
Mar 9: Snow started to fall shortly after sunrise in Croftville. It snowed continuously until 10pm, heavy at times, picking up about 6" of heavy wet snow. It was beautiful outside with the wet snow sticking to the trees. Temperatures were in the upper 30's. Lake Superior had 3-4ft waves which built up an ice shelf along the shore for about 50 feet out that got cemented in place by the wet snow.
Mar 8: We woke up this morning to broken up ice undulating in 2ft waves. The ice could be seen for about a mile out. As the day went on the band of ice stayed against the shore but steadily grew smaller and smaller. By tonight the band was only a 100 yards or so instead of a mile. I am not sure where all that ice went but I think it just melted into the water with all the wave action.
Mar 7: Lake Superior had large sheets of ice on it for as far out as I could see today. The sheets were pushing the ice gently towards shore. This resulted in the constant crinkling sound of breaking glass all day long. There was sun, the lake was calm, and temperatures stayed around freezing.
Mar 6: Croftville had sun and temperatures in the 30's. The lake was calm and blue. We woke up this morning with a dusting of snow which had melted away by afternoon.
Mar 5: They kept saying we would get a winter storm but even though it covered all of the state of Minnesota all day long, it somehow forgot about our little NE corner. Not a snowflake all day. However, looking across the lake to northern Wisconsin the skies were a dark blue gray with the snow coming down. Here the skies were lightly overcast, temperatures were in the 20's, and the lake was mostly calm with scattered bands of ice cubes.
Mar 4: The temperatures didn't get out of the 20's today and the skies were lightly overcast. Lake Superior continued to push ice up on the shore this morning. By the afternoon the waves had picked up to 2ft and had pulverized the ice and pulled it back into the lake.
Mar 3: Croftville had another beautiful sunny day with a high of 32. Lake Superior crinkled all day long as a large smooth ice sheet pushed into the shore stacking up on itself. There was ice out as far as I could see and a sizable current moving westward along the shore.
Mar 2: It was a beautiful sunny day with highs in the 30's. Lake superior had 2ft waves from the SE. The lake was a deep blue but there are huge areas of ice that change the texture and color of Superior. Up near the shore the ice turned the water to a very light blue green.
Mar 1: March began in Croftville with rivers and currents forming in the ice on the lake. I never quite understand these currents that run longitudinally along the shore but they are fun to watch. I believe they have to do with sheets of ice pushing against the shore and then have only 3 choices, push onto the shore, move right, or move left. The latter 2 choices create the currents.
February 2013
Feb 28: February ended in Croftville with 2-3ft waves coming all the way from the ESE. The lake was deep blue except near the shore where a combination of runoff and the churnng of the waves left Superior with a brownish hue. Skies had plenty of ominous looking clouds but plenty of sunshine, too which pushed the temperatures into the 40's once again.
Feb 27: Lake Superior has picked up today with 2-3ft waves from the south. They are eating away at any ice built up on the shore and swallowing it up in chunks. The lake is a dark greenish blue and has the look of spring against a stormy sky. Temperatures made it into the 40's today. Last night again almost couldn't be called night because it was so bright out.
Feb 26: The moon is full and it was so bright last night that it was hard to believe it was nighttime. The skies were clear and the moonlight reflected off the snow, the water, and the ice on the calm lake. I expect another bright night tonight and watched a stunning orange moonrise just minutes ago. Today was beautiful and springlike with 1ft waves from the SSW.
Feb 25: The lake was glass today. The blotches of ice on the water just drifted without direction in the absence of wind and wave. It felt like spring today with temperatures getting close to 40, clear blue skies, and the sun beating on you from ever higher in the sky.
Feb 24: It was a warm and partly cloudy day on Lake Superior with temperatures in the upper 30's for a high. The lake was so calm that there seemed to be ice forming in spite of the warm temperatures. I suspect that what really was happening is that ice was just quietly drifting in towards shore. The lake had a blotchy look to it with the ice islands mixed with open water.
Feb 23: If it wasn't for the Red Osier Dogwood along the bank there would have been no color whatsoever looking out at Lake Superior today. The snow was white, the lake was silver gray, the ice fields floating on the lake were white, the horizon was dark gray, and the sky was a light gray overcast that never allowed any direct sunlight through. If there were any waves they were at most about 6".
Feb 22: I can see the white strip of ice hovering out about a half mile from the shore. Here near the shore it is all water. The lake is calm and a grayish blue. Temperatures are hovering right around freezing with mostly cloudy skies.
Feb 21: We had a low of 4 temps warmed up into the 20's with the sun. We have 2-3ft waves from the SE with lots of whitecaps further out. The lake is a dark blue and the horizon over the lake has dark purple clouds but overhead it is all sun. Some of the missing ice was brought back to shore by the waves. The water for the first 400 yard is like one giant ice smoothie.
Feb 20: Temperatures have rebounded today into the 20's after the wind and the single digit temperatures it ushered in have left. The lake has small waves from the SE and patches of ice visible on its deep blue surface. The dark clouds at the horizon have disappeared with the horizon almost white. The color turns a robin egg blue as you look upward at the clear and sunny sky.
Feb 19: The wind started blowing last night and I thought I was back on the prairie in southern Minnesota where I grew up. It gusted over the hill and buffeted Lake Superior with tremendous force. The half mile of broken and stacked up shards of ice that we watched otters playing on yesterday was completely gone this morning. The wind picked up the waves which loosened the ice which in turn was pushed out into the lake by the wind. I imagine that some of the ice melted from the friction of the waves but most of it has just been pushed out of sight.
Feb 18: It was reported by our guests that while snowmobiling on the Gunflint Trail they had seen a moose and a wolf. Temperatures today are in the low 30's. The large sheet of ice from yesterday has been replaced by broken and stacked up ice for about a quarter to a half mile out. After that Superior is a dark blue.
Feb 17: Temperatures were back in the 20's all day and a light snow started mid-afternoon. The real story today is the ice. Crinkling ice stacked up on itself for the first 100 feet from shore. The rest of the lake was a calm thin layer of ice out as far as I could see. About 2pm the thin ice began to pull away from the shore leaving an ever widening river moving westward about 100ft from the shoreline.
Feb 16: It was a cold morning at 2 below. However, once the sun rose above that dark cloudbank on the horizon you could feel that the sun has more heating power. As spring approaches the sun climbs higher and higher in the sky. The lake had a band of open water near the shore but out futher you could see a large solid band of white ice. That became more obvious when we went up to Pincushion Mountain and could get a view from higher up. It will be interesting to see if that large shelf of ice will drift to the shore.
Feb 15: Temperatures fell to zero last night and stayed in single digits all day. Lake Superior is calm and there is ice out as far as you can see. Close in to shore there are patches of open water. That dark black cloud on the horizon is still there and it was about 10:00am before the sun finally rose up above it.
Feb 14: Lake Superior was calm this Valentine's morning. Even though the temperatures stayed in the 20's last night, we woke up to blotches of ice out as far as we could see. Now that the lake has cooled down to freezing ice conditions on the lake can change quickly and often. I am writing this at 10am but small waves from the SE have began and already the ice that was prevalent just a couple hours ago is now gone. The dark, almost black, cloud bank hugging the horizon is still present as it has been for several days now.
Feb 13: A warm day in Croftville with a high of 37 and sun at times. The lake was a silver gray and fairly calm. There was a dark gray cloudbank hugging the horizon over the Superior.
Feb 12: Daybreak today had a almost black cloud cover at the horizon with the lake a lighter bluish silver. Above those black clouds the sky was only lightly overcast. Temperatures stayed in the 20's throughout the day.
Feb 11: Snow started yesterday at 4:00pm and came down furiously with about 10 inches falling by 7:00pm when the snow quit. My son went down to the lake last night and said the ice drifts along the shore had built up to 10 ft high. This morning the ice drifts and the ice on the lake had disappered. We had 2ft rolling waves on a smooth blackish gray surface from the SE. Temperarures stayed in the upper 20's all day long as we shoveled out from the snowstorm.
Feb 10: Temperatures stayed just around freezing last night and we woke up with a layer of ice coating everything this morning. A good portion of the ice disappeared overnight. Instead of ice out about 400 yards we now only have ice out about 100 yards from shore. Some of it may have piled up on shore but most of it either melted or got pulled back out in the lake. The lake is a purple blue with powerful 4ft waves and whitecaps except where the ice is. The ice band is now a bluish white and very loud with the ice colliding into itself. Today is heavily overcast and they are predicting heavy snow later.
Feb 9: It was a striking red sunrise through a thin band of clouds on the horizon. As the sun rose it soon disappeared behind the dark overcast cloud cover. The lake had 2 bands. The lower band was a light silver blue of the broken ice that had all been pushed to within a quarter mile of the shore. The upper band was a purple blue and had sizable waves pushing the ice toward the shore. The ice band had long wavelength smooth 2 foot waves undulating gently through the broken ice.
Feb 8: Sheets of broken ice are making their way to the shore today. There are 2 ft drifts of broken ice piled up along the shore. The lake has calmed down from yesterday with only a faint sign of waves which is just enough to hear the crinkling sound of the ice bumping together. Lake Superior is a purplish blue and the sky jumps between sun and overcast. Temperatures made it into the 20's.
Feb 7: Two foot waves from the SE have broken up the ice that was forming out a ways on Superior. That ice can now be seen working its way to the shore. I wouldn't be surprised if it begins piling up on the shore later today. Skies are overcast with light fluffy snow falling. The lake is gray and contrasts against the white snow cover.
Feb 6: The lake was calm this morning but with again 2 very distinct textures. Close in the lake was glass and futher out their were blotches of a rougher surface. It had all the signs of ice forming. Later in the day a fluffy snow started to fall and that cinched it. Those blotches out on the lake became white. We definately have ice now forming on the lake. I suspect that the combination of a calm Superior and a sustained splee of cold weather did it. It is so fun to see ice forming this early on the big lake when we had no ice here at all last winter.
Feb 5: We had 3 inches of fluffy snow fall last night. Today the sky is clear and light blue. The lake has a purplish blue textured surface with small 6" waves with an unusually long wavelength from the SE. Temperatures are in the 20's.
Feb 4: Temperatures got down to 5 below last night but rebounded quickly today. The bright sun got us into the upper teens. There were 2 distinct textures on the lake this morning. This may be an indication of ice starting to form on the surface. If it was ice and the lake has really cooled down to 32 degrees then I should be seeing this again and again especially on cold, calm mornings. I suspect I am mistaken. Normally ice doesn't begin to form until the latter part of February but no ice formed at all last year. Although we have had a couple significant cold spells in January, we have had very warm weather as well. Today Lake Superior is calm with a dark blue textured surface.
Feb 3: Another cold day today never reaching 10 degrees. Again it was sunny with the lake a deep sky blue with black shadows. Waves were 1ft from the SSW.
Feb 2: Temperatures only got down to 3 degrees last night here on the lake and rebounded into the teens this afternoon. It was a sunny day. The lake was a deep sky blue with black shadows. The waves were only 1ft from the south but somehow managed a few whitecaps out a ways on the lake.
Feb 1: Lake Superior was a silver with a textured surface that had no discernable wav direction to it. The sky was mostly sunny with small puffs of white clouds dotting it. The exception was that dark gray cloud assembled over the lake the was building from the water vapor you could see twirling and rising from the surface. Morning temperatures were below zero and didn't get past the single digits today.
January 2013
Jan 31: January ends with a repeat from yesterday. Temperatures in the single digits. The big lake is calm and gray. You can see the water vapor rising off the lake in little vortexes.
Jan 30: Temperatures dropped last night down to 5 degrees this morning. Lake Superior is gray and calm today. We have overcast skies with temperatures hovering around in the single digits.
Jan 29: Lake Superior is gray, has 1 ft waves from the SE, and the sky over her is overcast. Temperatures along the lake were well above freezing all day long. The morning started with rain and changed over to sleet before ending around 10am.
Jan 28: Warm temperatures have returned. We will hope that these 30's and 40's will be short lived to protect our wonderful and fresh snow cover. The big lake was calm and gray today with a bright band of light near the horizon.
Jan 27: Lake Superior is grayish silver today with 1ft waves from the SE. Temperatures started in the 20's and ended in the 30's with light clouds overcasting the sky. It is another great day to be out enjoying winter sports.
Jan 26: Light snow was falling throughout today picking up about 2 inches. Temperatures stayed in the teens, the lake was gray with 6" waves from the SSE, it was a great day for being outside enjoying the winter sport of your choice in Croftville.
Jan 25: There were small 6" waves from the south with limited visibility from the heavy snow this morning on the lake. Considering the gusts of wind I was surprised to see the Superior so calm. There must be 8 inches of fresh snow on the ground after the snow quit by midmorning. Lots of shoveling but it is so nice to see a healthy snow cover down here by the lake. I know my son is thrilled at his prospects for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Jan 24: Ouch! 14 below was back this morning. Temperatures creeped up to 10 degrees by nightfall. I left before dawn, was inside all day, and didn't get back until dark so I never got to see the lake today. A light snow began to fall tonight and the winds have picked up. They say we may have heavy snow by morning.
Jan 23: It was 2 above this morning but with strong winds which made it feel terribly cold. The gray lake was relatively calm with 1ft waves from the SSW again. Coming down the Gunflint Trail after picking up my sun from Pincushion Mountain for CC ski practice I got the full appreciation of the massive cloud formation hovering over Lake Superior assembled from the rising steam off the lake. It is dark, swirling, and impressize as it follows the contour of the shoreline about 100 yards from the shore.
Jan 22: It was 15 below this morning which is the coldest temperature I have seen right on Lake Superior in a few years. I heard that people over the hill were at 28 below. The steam continues to rise off the lake churning into the low hanging clouds. Unlike yesterday, the skies cleared a bit and we had sunshine and a brief break in the below zero temperatures. We managed to get to 4 above zero for a short while this afternoon. Superior was blue near the shore but gray further out under the low clouds hovering over the lake.
Jan 21: It was 13 below when we got up; it had warmed to 12 below by noon; and then the heat wave hit at sunset when it got to a balmy 11 below. Lake Superior looks so mysterious with the steam coming off of it and rising into the grayish swirling cloudbank over the water. Waves on the gray lake were 1-2ft from the SSW.
Jan 20: The cold made it here overnight with a morning temperature of 5 below and temperatures hovering on either side of zero for most of the day. There was a beautiful red and orange sunset in the SW with the colors twisting through the low cloudbank above Superior. Temps really began to drop after that and were at 10 below zero before I retired for the night.
Jan 19: The bitter cold temps never came last night. Instead it continued to snow overnight and all morning. We must have picked up another 3 inches. Temperatures peaked at 33 degrees at 2pm this afternoon and then steadily dropped to 5 degrees by 9pm. With the dropping temperatures the winds picked up with some tremendous gusts. The snow made gray clouds hang over Lake Superior all day. Lake Superior was a greeninsh gray with 1-2ft waves from the SE.
Jan 18: Instead of temperatures dropping overnight they went up slightly and brought snow around 6am. The light and fluffy snow continued all day long picking up about 6 inches by late afternoon along our shore. Lake Superior. The snow produced a silver sky which produced silver gray 1ft waves from the SE. Temperatures have made their way back into the 20's but the predictions are for bitterly cold temps arriving tonight.
Jan 17: It was 2 below when I woke up and 2 below when I went to bed. Inbetween times the temperatures stayed in the single digits. Lake Superior was fairly calm with gray 1-2ft waves and a gray cloudy sky.
Jan 16: Another 2 inches of snow fell last night giving us a 4" snowcover down by the lake. I have heard snow conditions are good again for trails on the lower Gunflint. Temperatures were at single digits when I went to bed but was up to 32 degrees when I woke up. The pendulum then swung low again and had dropped to 5 degrees by 7pm. The steel blue lake had 3-4ft waves from the SSE with partly sunny skies.
Jan 15: Temperatures rose over night and we woke up to 18 degrees this morning and 2 inches of snow. Hooray, at least our snow cover is now going in the right direction. Winds are strong today and so are the massive 5ft waves with whitecaps everywhere you look. The lake is my favorite steel blue except near the shore where it takes on a greenish transluscent quality.
Jan 14: It was 5 degrees this morning and temperatures rose into the double digits before dropping back into the single digits at night. The steel blue lake had 3-4ft waves from the south covered with a partly sunny sky.
Jan 13: It was 9 degrees this morning and we are back to normal January temperatures for the first time in a week. The sun is out and Lake Superior is calm. You can see the water vapor rising from the surface and the familiar dark cloudbank sitting over the lake in cold temperatures has returned. Now we must patiently wait for snow.
Jan 12: I woke up to 43 degrees this morning. The rain has just stopped and Lake Superior is a steel gray out a ways but closer in it is a beautiful aquamarine. The waves are from the SSW and a monsterous 5ft in height. The huge breaking waves with the enormous whitecaps are mesmerizing with the water capturing the light from the sky. By noon the temperatures finally began to fall: 32 degrees by 2:00, 26 degrees by 4:00, 18 degrees by 7:00. There were a few snow flurries but there is no snow left down here on the shore.
Jan 11: Another warm day today along Lake Superior. I woke up to 42 degrees and it stayed in the mid 40's all day. The colder temperatures and freezing rain forecast never arrived. It rained all day long. And that rain absolutely obliterated our snow cover. If it had only been 15 degrees colder we could have added 20 inches to our snow, instead we get to start over with bare ground. Is this really January? Lake Superior was dark gray against the light gray sky. Waves were from the south and 1-2ft.
Jan 10: It was a warm day today with temperatures never even seeing freezing overnight and reaching well into the 40's along the shore. Sunrise greeted us to clear skies with a haze near the horizon that partly diffused the early morning sun. Plenty of orange and pinks that even reflected off the 2ft foot choppy waves from the south. The sunshine gave us a blue Lake Superior all day but rain moved into Cook County after sunset. They say it should turn to freezing rain but it is not clear to me that it will get cold enough along Lake Superior for that to happen.
Jan 9: The lake had large 4ft waves from the SSW today with whitecaps seen far out from the shore. Temperatures made their way to the 40's.
Jan 8: I wasn't outside to enjoy the lake at all today. My daughter saw an ore freighter both this morning and this evening. Temperatures made it into the 40's today along the lake. Waves were again from the south and 3ft.
Jan 7: Lake Superior had powerful 3-4ft waves from the south today. Sunrise was red like a laser. There was just a small clear slit at the horizon that the sun could be seen before it rose behind the cloudbank. The result was almost a pure red light with all the other colors diffracted out where the sunlight goes through the maximum amount of the earth's atmosphere.
Jan 6: There were huge cumulus clouds in the sky today. The lake was a steel blue with 2ft waves from the south. I saw 3 ore freighters pass by.
Jan 5: We have been living in our travel trailer while renovating our house. The trailer was just too cold and too expensive to heat so we moved into Cottage 1 for the next couple months. It is so fun to see the lake again. I had forgotten how common it is for freighters to pass by in January until the Sault locks close. We had 4 freighters pass by today.
Jan 4: The weather today was partly sunny with highs in the low 30's. Lake Superior had 1-2ft deep blue waves from the SSW but the sound of the lake would have made me think the waves were twice as high.
Jan 3: Walking along the lake near sunset was amazing. The lake itself had 2ft waves from the SSW with a bluish black surface against a cloudy horizon over the lake. The sun setting in the SW turned the cloud banks in the vicinity a blazing pink. That pink reflected off the crests of the breaking waves near the shore.
Jan 2: It was overcast all day and the lake just had a hint of blue in the vast sea of gray. Temperatures stayed in the 20's all day getting close to 30 in the afternoon. There were 1ft smooth waves and light fine snow coming down.
Jan 1: Lake Superior was steel blue and had 6" waves from the SSW for New Year's Skies were partly sunny with itinerant clouds passing by. Temperatures started at 6 this morning and hit 20 briefly this afternoon but the brisk winds made it feel a good deal cooler.