March In like a Lion?

https://www.facebook.com/UpNorthLive/videos/1415958868448805/Wet and on Wednesday, snowy weather in the forecast to open up the month of March. It will remain warm enough Tuesday for just rain across Northern Michigan. A rumble or two of thunder is possible south of highway M-72.
This will switch over to snow Wednesday and it appears increasingly likely that it will snow most of Wednesday across Northern and Central Lower Michigan in particular. We expect a general 4-8" of snow Wednesday with the highest totals in Northeast Lower MI centered around Rogers City/Onaway where close to 8" of snow is possible. Snow will end later Wednesday evening.

The wind is calm, what a great day to go flying!!!!

Good morning sunshine!

Light Snow Today

An Alberta Clipper will bring a round of mainly light snow to the region today, especially across the Tip of the Mitt and eastern Upper. After a break in the action Monday, another storm system will bring mostly rain to the region for midweek, though precipitation may start as snow Tuesday and end as snow Wednesday. Colder temperatures and lake effect snow is expected for Thursday and Friday.

Snow Snow Snow

Use the App for up to date flight information.

Snow showers continue today, steadiest across northwest Lower and eastern Upper Michigan before diminishing this evening. Increasing wind gusts combined with falling snow is expected to result in hazardous travel across portions of the area.

Traverse City and TVC

A national snapshot from PBS of Traverse City, Michigan and flying TVC.

Return To Winter

Today will be our last day of unseasonable record-breaking warmth. Some rain showers will be possible later today into tonight, but we’re more concerned with a system moving through for the end of the work week. Snow, rain, and even some freezing rain will be possible across northern Michigan Thursday night through Friday night…maybe even some thunder. Stay tuned for later updates.

Spring Back To Winter!

Foggy tonight as we see more mild temperatures into Wednesday. Clouds will increase during the day on Wednesday, and there is a chance for rain Wednesday night. There will be a break during the day on Thursday only for another system to move into the region Thursday night bringing a wintry mix into the day on Friday. Accumulating wet snow and freezing rain are possible with this system. Friday night the mix will change to snow as the cold front moves through the region.

Spring Break Idea?

How about the Delta Air Lines museum in Atlanta (ATL)?

Snow This Morning Then Warm Weekend Ahead

A few lingering mainly light snow showers and flurries will be possible this morning. Otherwise, dry weather is expected through the weekend as unseasonable warmth arrives with high temperatures 10-20 degrees above normal through at least the first half of next week.

Getting Warmer For The Weekend!

Mainly light lake effect snow showers are expected to continue today into tonight with an additional minor accumulation across portions of the area. Snow will diminish tonight with just a few lingering flurries Thursday morning. Otherwise, much warmer and spring-like temperatures are expected this weekend, along with dry weather through early next week.

Snow Back In The Forecast For Tonight!

A quick moving area of low pressure will push into the region tonight, accompanied by areas of snow and gusty winds. The snow may initially be mixed with rain. Wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph are likely, with gusts over 40 mph possible near the coast. The combination of snow and wind will create areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility, resulting in hazardous travel. Lingering light lake effect snow will continue into the day on Wednesday. Much warmer weather on the way, with a significant thaw shaping up for this weekend into early next week.

Welcome Home to North Flight Aero Med Helicopter!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1336802166377595&id=134089696648854

Phase 1 of the hangar development is complete, please watch as North Flight Aero Med brings home their helicopter.

Good Morning Sunshine

Enjoy the sun today at TVC! Time to go flying!

Sunny Monday

Sun to start the week then....
The next system to affect northern Michigan will arrive Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday night with snow showers and breezy winds, most prevalent across sections of northwest Lower and eastern Upper Michigan. Much warmer temperatures are expected this weekend bringing an early taste of spring to northern Michigan.

Sunday Winds And Snow

Heavy lake effect snow is ongoing across portions of northern Michigan this evening. Snow combined with gusty winds will lead to poor visibility and hazardous travel across parts of the area through tonight. Snow and wind diminish by Monday morning.

Snowy Sunday Follow The App For Flight Information!

Widespread snow will transition to lake effect snow showers downwind of Lakes Superior and Michigan during the early afternoon. Snowfall rates this morning of one-half to one inch per hour are possible in heavier bursts. Winds will shift to northwest this afternoon and increase...gusting 30-40 mph by mid-late afternoon.

Sunday's Weather Follow The App For Updates!

More wintry weather will arrive Sunday as snow overspreads northern Michigan...which combined with increasing northwest winds Sunday afternoon will likely result in hazardous travel conditions due to snow covered roads and poor visibilities in falling and blowing snow. Conditions are expected to improve by Monday morning.

American Airline's new TVC DFW Service Beginning June 2 to August 21, 2017.

Last week I was able to meet with our friends from Dallas to promote our new flight. Partners Avid Golfer, CBS Television and Radio. Joining me on the trip was Berry Owens, Tree Tops Resort and Susan Olson, Cherry Capital Airport Marketing Consultant.

Snow Today

An Alberta Clipper will bring widespread snow to northern Michigan today. The highest accumulations are expected across the Tip of the Mitt and eastern Upper before snow diminishes this afternoon. As precipitation winds down, a period of freezing drizzle will be possible late this afternoon into the early evening before coming to an end. Watch for snow-covered roads and hazardous travel!

Follow the app for the latest flight information!

Eight Cities To Be Non - Stop This Summer 2017!

American
Chicago
Dallas

Delta
Atlanta
Detroit
New York Laguarida
Minneapolis

United
Chicago
Denver
Newark

Snowy Thursday

Heavier lake effect snow showers will continue to develop early this morning and will persist through much of today. Most persistent snow showers will impact northern Chippewa county, especially around Whitefish Point and Paradise. The lake effect snow is expected to stop tonight before a clipper moves into the Upper Great Lakes on Friday bringing another round of snow.

Snow Continues

Northwest winds will bring lake effect snow bands to portions of northern Michigan. The heaviest snow is expected to be in east Upper Michigan over the next day and a half. The heaviest snow is expected to fall tonight and Thursday. The lake effect snow is expected to stop Thursday night before a clipper moves into the Upper Great Lakes on Friday bringing more snow.

Lingering pockets of freezing rain/drizzle this evening are changing over to light snow across the area. Lake effect snow bands will also develop late tonight. Untreated pavement will become slippery overnight as leftover standing water freezes.

Messy winter mix - watch the app for flight updates.

Messy wintry weather develops late tonight with the expectation of freezing drizzle/rain leading to ice accumulations through midday Tuesday...likely impacting the morning commute. Lake effect snows develop later Tuesday night and continues through Thursday, with accumulations anticipated...especially in Chippewa county of eastern upper. Milder conditions return for Friday into the upcoming weekend.

TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City visitors will see a surprise when they look to the skies next summer.

By Mark Johnson, Traverse City Record Eagle

A U.S. Coast Guard directive calls for Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City officials to transition from using four MH-65 Dolphins to three of the larger MH-60 helicopters, according to Command Master Chief Al Wiltse. The shift will allow the MH-65s to be used in missions elsewhere.

Pilots and crew who fly the MH-65s and the MH-60s likely will relocate with the aircraft to and from Traverse City, he said.

“There’s going to be a larger than average turnover in Traverse City this summer,” Wiltse said.

The MH-60 helicopters are modeled after the Blackhawk helicopter used by several other military branches, he said.

The helicopters will be configured differently to adhere to the variety of situations the Coast Guard responds to and feature more fuel storage to allow long-distance flights, like to northern Lake Superior.

Additionally, light anti-icing technology will help with a number of different types of response.

The advantages over the MH-65 helicopters should assist Traverse City Coast Guard officials, even though the change will leave their squadron with one less helicopter.

“We have no concerns being down,” Wiltse said. “There will not be any change in services from what we currently offer.”

The slow transition will occur during the spring and summer months, according to plans he said could change.

The “pre-logistics” of the transition already are underway, Wiltse said. The station is stocking parts for the new helicopters and identifying pilots and crewmembers to transfer to Traverse City to train and fly them.

The new helicopters will come from around the country — two currently expected to depart Elizabeth City, North Carolina, he said. They will feature a different paint scheme — approximately 60 percent white and 40 percent orange — compared to the signature, mostly-orange helicopters currently used.

Wiltse said the change will be exciting, but it won’t be easy.

“It’s going to take a lot of coordination and a tremendous amount of work,” he said. “When you start factoring in the moving of the aircraft themselves, all the tools, parts and equipment and, of course, all of the people who will be forced to move, there is a whole lot of logistics and coordination involved.”

The USCG departing TVC!

Our own 'Coast Guard 6543' taxis to the 'Delta and Delta-2' intersection, ready for departure at Cherry Capital Airport. Can you guess who ensures our intersection and departure paths are clear?

Yep, none other than the world-famous Cherry Capital Airport K-9 Team!

Piper doing a runway inspection.

Our role in the winter is to get planes in and out by ensuring the airport surfaces are free of snow/ice as much as practicable.
Here, K-9 Piper conducts a final inspection on runway 28 before a commercial arrival. Shortly after this pic was taken, Piper chased off a snowy owl.