The snow gauge or snow thermometer near Calumet, Michigan on the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The Keweenaw’s first substantial snowfall came down this morning, which is just the beginning of the long winter season. As the peninsula is one of the snowiest places on Earth, Visit Keweenaw, the Copper Country’s tourism council, tracks the annual snowfall totals with help from local organizations.
Displaying the record of 390.4 inches in one season from 1978-1979, the Keweenaw Snow Gauge, also known as the Snow Thermometer, located in Mohawk, is an over 32-foot-tall sign that shows each season’s accumulated snowfall in full scale. The 54-year average snowfall is 240.8 inches, though Keweenaw County regularly sees over 250 inches per year. Totals are calculated by the Keweenaw County Road Commission from a designated measuring site located at the former Calumet Air Force Station at Mount Horace Greeley.
With copious amounts of snow on the ground, and despite the tireless efforts of our county road commissions, local residents are always encouraged to be extra careful when travelling in wintry conditions. Snow and ice greatly decrease traction on roadways. According to Kevin Harju, the Chief Engineer and Manager of the Houghton County Road Commission, it’s always a good idea to make sure your car has tires that are rated for winter use as well as take your trips more slowly, with wider turns to avoid losing control of your vehicle.
Those who would like to keep up-to-date with snowfall totals this season can visit the useful webpage Visit Keweenaw has on their website.
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