Climate of Door County, Wisconsin explained

The climate of Door County, Wisconsin is tempered by Green Bay and Lake Michigan. There are fewer extremely cold days and fewer hot days than in areas of Wisconsin directly to the west. Lake waters delay the coming of spring as well as extend mild temperatures in the fall.[1] Annual precipitation is slightly lower than elsewhere in northern Wisconsin.[2] The county features a humid continental climate (classified as Dfb in Köppen) with warm summers and cold snowy winters.

Charts

Washington Island

Lake breeze

On hot summer days, cool lake breezes start in around noon and grow more intense by mid-afternoon. This effect can be noticed at the shoreline and around a mile or so inland.[3] Although lake breezes are capable of penetrating considerably further inland, they are able to heat up quickly after passing onto land. After as little as a mile of travel inland, they may be nearly as warm as the air they push away.[4] When a lake breeze encounters an inward curving shoreline, such as at Sister Bay, the breeze becomes more intense. The curve of the shore guides the breezes from opposing sides of the bay and makes them converge upon each other at the middle.[5]

Records and weather events

The most one-day rainfall at the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station was, recorded on August 25, 1910. Lightning damaged multiple areas over a period of ten hours. The electric generator for Sturgeon Bay was shut down as a precaution to preserve the equipment. One man died in his burning barn while trying to save his horses. A train on the Ahnapee and Western Railroad failed to pass through after culverts were found washed out between Forestville and Maplewood.[6]

The warmest maximum temperature at the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station was on July 9, 1936. Street thermometers in Sturgeon Bay in the shade reached, and storm clouds appeared in the west but did not give rain. It was part of a week-long hot and dry spell. County residents, along with hundreds of tourists and seasonal dwellers took time out to find a spot cool enough for comfort.[7] The hot and dry weather damaged the already-poor cherry crop, with typical yields expected at 5 or 6 percent of normal. One processing plant remained shut down for the season, and another opted to open at a limited scale.[8]

Records from Sturgeon Bay in the months prior to the 1871 Peshtigo fire indicate the area suffered from prolonged and abnormal dry conditions beginning in June.[9]

During a period of drought, the northwest corner of Chambers Island burned in a forest and bush fire on July 10, 1963. Nearly 40 acres were burned, which was thought to be caused by the careless use of a campfire. It took seven hours to put out, using green boughs to beat the fire, back pack tanks, and a water pump based in the bay. The county had only 4.24 inches of rain during April, May, and June, compared to the normal figure of 8.90 inches. Only 0.18 inches had fallen at the Agricultural Research Station since the beginning of July, although some parts of the county had received more rain.[10]

The coldest minimum temperature at the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station was, which was recorded on five occasions: February 10, 1912, February 10, 1944, February 12, 197, February 9, 1933, and January 17, 1982. Out of the five occasions, February 9, 1933, had the coldest maximum temperature at, which was reached following the low of at 7:00 AM.[11] The coldest maximum temperature at the station was on January 16, 1982.

On May 6–7th, 1960, the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station recorded of rain over 48 hours. was recorded at the station in Kewaunee.[12] On May 7, the earthen portion of Forestville Dam failed due to the rain. Over a few minutes starting at approximately 7:30 AM, a 35–foot hole opened on the east side of the dam, and within an hour a 15–foot hole opened on the west side. South of the dam, County Trunk J was closed from 9:00 AM until late afternoon due to water pouring over the county trunk. Most of the millpond was drained, and some of the muck was exposed in the center. Flooding from heavy rains also closed Highway 57.[13] Following this, the highway was built up. Heavy rains during May 1979 flooded a town road north of Highway 57, but not the highway itself.[14] The Ahnapee River also flooded in September 1975 and nearly caused another dam failure. Floods on the Ahnapee are expected to reoccur approximately every 30 years.[15]

On January 7, 1967, Washington Island received of snow, setting the county record for the greatest one-day snowfall.[16] of snow again fell on April 14, 2018, this time at the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station.[12]

On September 22, 1971, a blizzard forced about 620 Southern Door School District students to stay overnight in their school buildings. Some parents were able get their children home in the evening, many using snowmobiles. Busses sent the students home after breakfast the next day.[17]

Ice accumulation during the winter of 2014 was the highest ever recorded on Lake Michigan.[18]

Hail over two inches in diameter has been reported four times in the county. On July 28, 1912, hail the size of a man's two fists was reported near Ellison Bay.[19] On June 27, 1978, a hailstorm hit an area from Sister Bay to Ellison Bay. Tennis-ball sized hail was reported.[20] On September 26, 1998, 2.75 inch hail was reported in Baileys Harbor. On August 9, 2001, 3 inch hail was reported one mile south of Sturgeon Bay.[21]

On June 4, 1955, two were killed by lightning while in a fishing boat about 100 feet from the shore in Sturgeon Bay.[22]

Tornadoes

Four tornadoes touched down between 1844 and 1880, and thirteen from 1950 to 1989, but there were no fatalities in any of them. Two crossed the Door-Kewaunee county line.[23] From 1989 to 2019, there were 3 additional tornadoes, including the F3 "Door County tornado" which hit Egg Harbor in 1998.[24] Additionally there were at least 11 waterspouts between 1950 and 2019.[25]

Date of Tornado Time F-Scale Length Width (yards)[26]
July 1, 1956[27] 12:05 PM CST F2 10.6 miles 50 yards
August 16, 1959[28] ? PM CST ? ? ?
August 2, 1960[29] 8:00 PM CST ? ? ?
August 2, 19608:00 PM CST ? ? ?
July 25, 1966[30] 6:20 PM CST F0 2 miles 17 yards
April 22, 1970[31] 9:10 PM CST F2 2.3 miles 500 yards
April 22, 1970 9:30 PM CST F2 4.3 miles 500 yards
August 10, 1971[32] ? AM CDT ? ? ?
July 12, 1973[33] 7:30 AM CST F1 0 miles 100 yards
July 1, 1974[34] 7:30 AM CST F1 0 miles 100 yards
September 3, 1975[35] 6:00 AM CST ? ? ?
July 30, 1976[36] 5:00 PM CST ? ? about 3 yards
8:00 PM CST F2 5 miles 150 yards
August 23, 1998 5:30 PM CST F3 5.1 miles 1,300 yards
July 13, 2000 2:55 PM CST F0 0.1 miles 50 yards
4:43 PM CST F0 N/A N/A

Weather monitoring

Weather in the county is reported by WXN69 (FM 162.425), the NOAA weather radio station in Sister Bay.[37] Green Bay and Lake Michigan ice thickness reports and forecasts are produced by NOAA.[38]

Weather monitors in the county report terrestrial and marine weather conditions:

Location Name and hyperlink Operator Service
Weather radar for Door CountyWeather Radar for Door County National Weather Service
Lake Michigan and Green Bay Surface Water Temperature Seagull (part of IOOS) marine
Door County Cherryland Airport (KSUE) terrestrial
Clay Banks GHCND:USC00472851 Daily Summaries; NOWData products such as climate normals terrestrial
Sevestapol, Peninsular Agricultural Research Station GHCND:USC00478267 Daily Summaries; NOWData products such as climate normals terrestrial
Baileys Harbor GHCND:US1WIDR0011 Daily Summaries terrestrial
Ephraim GHCND:USC00472626 Daily Summaries; NOWData products such as climate normals terrestrial
Sister Bay GHCND:US1WIDR0006 Daily Summaries terrestrial
Ellison Bay GHCND:US1WIDR0005 Daily Summaries terrestrial
Washington Island GHCND:USC00478905 Daily Summaries; NOWData products such as climate normals terrestrial
Northport Pier Station NPDW3 marine
Sister Bay Yacht Works Station SYWW3 marine
Station 0Y2W3 marine
Chambers Island Station CBRW3 marine
South Green Bay Buoy (in county waters) Station 45014 - GB17 University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee[39] marine
Nasewaupee Nasewaupee / S. Door County station terrestrial
Town of Sturgeon Bay Sturgeon Bay / Southern Door station terrestrial
Sevastapol Sturgeon Bay station terrestrial
Jacksonport West Jacksonport station terrestrial
Egg Harbor Egg Harbor station terrestrial
Liberty Grove Sister Bay / Liberty Grove station terrestrial
Brussels Brussels, Chaudoir's Dock County Park Door County Parks Department webcam
Gills Rock Gills Rock private webcam
Ephraim Pine Grove Resort, Ephraim private webcam
Ephraim, dock Ephraim Yacht Club private webcam
Fish Creek Fish Creek Harbor private webcam
Cana Island Cana Island Door County Parks Department webcam
Egg Harbor Egg Harbor Lodge private webcam
Sturgeon Bay Marina Sturgeon Bay Marina private webcam
Bay View Bridge Bay View Bridge private webcam
Sturgeon Bay Bridge private webcam
Northport and Washington Island Northport and Washington Island webcam private webcam

See also

Climate of nearby locations

To the south

To the southwest

To the west

To the north

To the northeast

To the east

To the southeast

Broader areas

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://books.google.com/books?id=WrKlpHS7yYUC&dq=%22The+climate+of+Door+County+is+tempered+by+Green+Bay+and+Lake+Michigan%22&pg=PA4 Flood Insurance Study: Door County, Wisconsin Unincorporated Areas
  2. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ien.35556031033186&view=1up&seq=11&skin=2021 Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan Ship Canal, Maintenance Dredging and Spoil Disposal: Environmental Impact Statement
  3. https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0477-20.5.209 The Land and Sea Breeze of Door Peninsula, Wisconsin
  4. https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0450(1972)011%3C1259%3ATCAPOT%3E2.0.CO%3B2 The climatology and prediction of the Chicago lake breeze
  5. https://journals.ametsoc.org/downloadpdf/journals/mwre/104/12/1520-0493_1976_104_1474_suohrg_2_0_co_2.pdf Some Uses of High-Resolution GOES Imagery in the Mesoscale Forecasting of Convection and Its Behavior
  6. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=0a8b94b5-5745-457c-a604-522158934fc2/wsbd0000/20120718/00000920&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=ten%20hour%20electric%20storm&query1_field=CONTENT Ten Hour Electric Storm
  7. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=88b0dabc-478c-4621-a4a1-0ae7125b6234/wsbd0000/20131118/00001485&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=torrid%20spell%20ii%20ended%20tuesday&query1_field=CONTENT Torrid Spell is Ended Tuesday
  8. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=88b0dabc-478c-4621-a4a1-0ae7125b6234/wsbd0000/20131118/00001485 Canning Operations are Curtailed by Failure of Cherry Crop
  9. https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/rp/rp_nc034.pdf Climatic Conditions Preceding Historically Great Fires in the North Central Region
  10. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20151119/00000367 "Fire on Chambers Island Fought for Seven Hours" and "Door County included in 'Disaster' List"
  11. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=88b0dabc-478c-4621-a4a1-0ae7125b6234/wsbd0000/20131118/00001307&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=imniis&query1_field=CONTENT Temperature is Lowest in Years
  12. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/search Climate Data Online Search
  13. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20151119/00000037 Rain Causes Trouble Here
  14. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000933&pg_seq=6&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=sitwasworseim&query1_field=CONTENT Wet as it is, it was worse in 1960
  15. https://books.google.com/books?id=WrKlpHS7yYUC&dq=%22recurrence+interval+of+approximately+30+years%22+Ahnapee&pg=PA5 Flood Insurance Study: Door County, Wisconsin Unincorporated Areas
  16. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/snow-and-ice/snowfall-extremes/ Wisconsin 1-Day Snowfall Extremes
  17. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000075&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=storm%20forces%20hundreds&query1_field=CONTENT Storm forces hundreds of students to stay in schools
  18. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/83293/ice-stringers-lake-michigan Ice stringers, Lake Michigan
  19. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=0a8b94b5-5745-457c-a604-522158934fc2/wsbd0000/20120718/00001021&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=wind%20anq%20hail%20storm&query1_field=CONTENT&query2_modifier=AND&query2_field=DATE_PUBLISHED_MILLIS&query2_min=-1830384000000&query2_max=-1798848000000 Wind and Hail Storm
  20. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000842&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=iol%20en%20hailstorm%20rakes&query1_field=CONTENT Violent hailstorm rakes northern Door area
  21. https://www.weather.gov/media/grb/climate/severewx/1Door%20County%20Severe%20Weather%20Facts.pdf Door County Severe Weather Facts (1950-2020)
  22. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20141103/00001053&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=funeral%20services%20were%20held%20to%20day&query1_field=CONTENT Services Held for Lightning Bolt Victims
  23. https://wgnhs.wisc.edu/pubs/b100/ A Tornado Climatology for Wisconsin
  24. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.731.83&rep=rep1&type=pdf Development of the Door County Supercell on 23 August 1998
  25. https://www.weather.gov/media/grb/climate/severewx/8TORBYCOUNTYDOOR.pdf Door County Tornado Guide
  26. http://map.co.door.wi.us/Agendas-minutes/CountyBoard/Misc/2016/2016-06%20Res%202016-45%20DC%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan%20-%20FINAL%20PLAN%20ATTACHMENT.pdf Door County Hazard Mitigation Plan – Chapter 2: Risk Assessment
  27. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20141103/00001165 Violent 'Twister' Ravages Door County
  28. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20141103/00001490&pg_seq=7&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=sunday%20evening%20a%20small%20twister&query1_field=CONTENT Golden Wedding, 'Twister' and Oriental Party in the News
  29. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20151119/00000062 Twister Hits Near Sturgeon Bay
  30. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20151119/00000686&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=windstorm%20rips%20northern%20part%20of%20county%20boat%20tossed&query1_field=CONTENT&query2_modifier=AND&query2_field=DATE_PUBLISHED_MILLIS&query2_min=-126230400000&query2_max=-94780800000 Violent windstorm rips Northern part of county
  31. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20151119/00001076&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=cyclonic%20winds%20ripped%20into&query1_field=CONTENT Wind Storm Lashes Area
  32. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000124&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=county%20cleaning%20up%20tram%20another%20storm&query1_field=CONTENT County cleaning up from another storm
  33. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000324&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=orning%20storm%20hits%20jackson%20port%20area&query1_field=CONTENT Morning Storm Hits Jacksonport Area
  34. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000425&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=heavy%20wind%20damage%20to%20shiloh%20cherry%20orchards&query1_field=CONTENT Morning Storm Hits Jacksonport Area
  35. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000548&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=a%20localized%20twister%20about%205%20am%20wednesdaytook%20the%20top%20off&query1_field=CONTENT A localized 'twister'
  36. http://pubinfo.co.door.wi.us:8080/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=1e8fc801-90a4-4104-8e86-19a1ea0947dc/wsbd0000/20170120/00000643&pg_seq=1&search_doc=&query1_modifier=AND&query1=twister%20raised%20havoc&query1_field=CONTENT 'Twister' strikes Nasewaupee farm
  37. https://www.weather.gov/grb/nwr_area Stations in Northeast and North-Central Wisconsin
  38. https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/ice/ Great Lakes Ice Cover
  39. https://uwm.edu/glos/glos-buoys/green-bay-buoy/ Green Bay Buoy