Above-average temperatures and two storm systems bring shifting water levels and weather for Michigan and the Great Lakes.
Weather Shifts Impact Great Lakes Water Levels
SAULT STE. MARIE, Michigan – The latest Army Corps of Engineers Weekly Great Lakes Water Level Update, released November 15, 2024, paints a complex picture for the region’s waterways. Following a period of above-normal temperatures from November 8th to 11th, a cold front shifted conditions on November 12th. The Corps’ report details that upcoming weather, including two Colorado-based storms, is expected to further influence precipitation and potential snow accumulation, particularly around Lakes Superior and Michigan.
Water Levels Drop, but Some Lakes Remain Above Average
The November 15th forecast highlights that water levels across the Great Lakes have generally declined compared to last month and last year. Lake Superior, for example, is 2 inches below its October 2024 levels and 7 inches lower than last year at this time. Similarly, Lake Michigan-Huron shows a decrease of 4 inches from October and 8 inches from the previous year. Conversely, Lakes St. Clair and Erie are bucking this trend by remaining 6 and 7 inches above their long-term November averages, respectively.