Published: March 26, 2008 09:50 am         

Region socked with more snow

GAYLORD -- There's little reason the long, brutal winter will end anytime soon.

Cold temperatures, snowfall and gale force winds ushered in the first full week of spring in northern Lower Michigan, where snow depths remain between nine and 15 inches and winter weary residents battle cabin fever, an affliction that isn't expected to break for weeks.

"I know, this is getting ridiculous," said Mike Cellitti, meteorologist at the National Weather Service station in Gaylord.

A winter weather advisory for the region lasted into the afternoon on Tuesday, when snow tapered off. But those won't be the last flakes to fall, with additional freezing temperatures and more lake effect snowfall in the forecast, Cellitti said.

Persistent winter conditions this spring do more than aggravate the locals. Student athletes, road workers, farmers and more are feeling the effects of a long-lasting winter.

"This could be one of the latest springs for getting student athletes outside," said Steve Baker, athletic director for Gaylord Community Schools. "We just haven't had much snow melt off yet."

Gaylord's student baseball, softball, soccer and golf players must rotate use of the gymnasium, which can hamper team practices. Teams typically practice outside when they come back from spring break -- this year on April 7 -- but that's in doubt, Baker said.

"If I were a betting man, I'd say no," he said.

Steady winter storms this year also took a toll in Grand Traverse County, where more salt was spread on roads than any of the previous five winters. With doubled fuel costs and rising salt prices, "It's going to be an expensive winter," said Mary Gillis, road commission manager.

In fact, this winter's costs could mean fewer road maintenance projects in summer, she said.

And roads aren't the only rising expense.

Continued cold temperatures made for high home heating bills for South Boardman resident Clarence Jacobson. He paid $450 for propane in January, nearly $400 in February and expects to pay at least $300 for March, the month that came in like a lion and should therefore go out like a lamb, according to the old weather proverb.

"It's been a lion the whole month," Jacobson said.

But not everyone despairs over the weather, as the slow-starting spring could bring a bounty for local fruit farmers.

"Right now, it's remaining cool and it's helping us. This way, it keeps the trees from moving, starting their spring growth," said Jim Bardenhagen, a Leelanau County fruit and potato farmer.

Cold temperatures in early spring mean blossoms will come out in May, rather than mid- to late-April, as in some years.

"The later they bloom, the more likely they are not to be hit by a cold overnight frost, which we tend to get in early spring," Bardenhagen said.

Meanwhile, today and Thursday will bring temperatures in the 30s, with a 30 percent chance of snow across the region on Thursday night. Friday will be similar, with continued chances for light lake-effect snowfall, Cellitti said.

The weekend should remain mostly dry, with temperatures creeping into the low 40s by Sunday and Monday. Another cold spell will follow, Cellitti said.

"Outside of a brief warm-up early next week, I can't offer any hope beyond that," he said.

Climatology research shows this area's snow typically melts the last week of March, but this year it will happen later. This month has been on average about five or six degrees below normal temperatures across the region, Cellitti said.