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Polar Vortex Over Lake Michigan

January 8, 2014 By Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns 24 Comments

Milwaukee skyline, Lake Michigan

Good morning. I don’t know about you but I am freezing! I am stuck in the “Polar Vortex” and it is -12 without the windchill. I do not even want to know what the temperature is with the windchill; all I want to hear about is what day it will be warm again. I use the term “warm” loosely by the way, I am simply referring to temps above 0.

Although I was should have stayed in yesterday, I was restless and decided to venture out and get a few things done. As almost everyone else in the city was home sitting in front of the fire, probably with a cup of cocoa and a good book I was out in the frigid temps.

The bright blue sky was deceiving and disguised the bone chilling cold. I had heard several times on the morning news that a person could get frostbitten within 15 minutes, I think it is closer to 5-8 minutes. I have no scientific backing for this except that I was pretty sure each time I jumped in and out of the car to take these photos that my fingers were going to fall off.  

Lake Michigan was magical. The bitter cold temperatures moving over the warm water caused wisps of fog to dance above the water and rise up in large cloud like formations.  

Standing on the cliffs above the Lake the water sounded like a bowl of Rice Krispies, the snap, crackle and pop clearly audible above the howling wind. 

A beautiful sight to behold and one that I miss when I am back at home. 

Tell me, are you in the Polar Vortex too or are you one of the lucky ones on the fringes enjoying warmer weather? Are you stranded somewhere because of all of the cancelled and delayed flights?  

Wherever you are I hope that you stay warm and have a fabulous week. If you are stranded, I hope that you get home safe and soon. Have a great day!



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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Polar Vortex, Winter 2014

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Unknown says

    January 7, 2014 at 6:08 am

    I live in Australia, we are experiencing strange weather conditions all over our country, we are supposed to be having summer but here in Victoria it feels like we are in winter, much cooler than it should be. In Queensland it has been extremely hot but now they are having severe storms, strong winds etc., on the West Coast it is hot. I have a blogging friend from the Mid West America I have not heard from in over a week, your weather conditions have been broadcast on our National News, you sure are copping it bad, I hope you guys stay safe and warm, Best wishes Wendy

    Reply
    • Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns says

      January 7, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      Wendy, your weather sounds crazy! I hope that th warm Summer weather comes back soon!

      Take care and thank you for comin to visit!

      Reply
  2. Glamour Drops says

    January 7, 2014 at 6:20 am

    it's incredibly beautiful despite being so viciously freezing!!!

    here in australia it is summer time…but then again, i live in melbourne where the weather is officially nuts…it is currently so cold that we are back in boots and jumpers…but then in a few days it will be warm enough for the beach…makes it interesting though!! your images are magical.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns says

      January 7, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      Thank you for coming to visit! Summer in Australia must be beautiful, I have that on my bucket list for the next year.
      I hope that your weather warms up soon!

      Reply
  3. Jeanne Henriques says

    January 7, 2014 at 11:04 am

    She is home and I imagine she is very happy! Lovely photos Elizabeth…I can feel the chill. Wishing you a wonderful visit with your family…xx

    Reply
    • Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns says

      January 7, 2014 at 6:56 pm

      Jeanne, you are right. I am home with my family and I am so happy!

      I hope all is well in Vietnam! I am sure that you are savoring every second with Connor! Thinking of you and wishing you well.

      xo Elizabeth

      Reply
  4. Castles Crowns and Cottages says

    January 7, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Dear one,

    We stayed home yesterday AND today as well, 'cause our governor ROCKS….he closed the schools because here, we are having -50. YES, you see this correctly! I heard on the news that it's colder than MARS here. This is crazy….Ruben did have to go to school today, but I'm here, enjoying the interior!

    BE CAREFUL! Anita

    Reply
    • Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns says

      January 7, 2014 at 6:58 pm

      I have been thinking of you!!!! I hope that you are keeping yourself snug as a bug in a rug! You are so right, the weather is CRAZY! Hopefully it will warm up soon.

      Take care dear friend, xo Elizabeth

      Reply
  5. Castles Crowns and Cottages says

    January 7, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    Oh….We watched the entire FOURTH SEASON of Downton Abby last night off of a streaming site…you are going to scream.

    Reply
  6. Jane@Bluebird1959 says

    January 7, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Polar vortexing here too…thirty seven below windchill at eight thirty this morning. Holy cats, it's cold! Warming up for the weekend though, and most of the schools should be open tomorrow. Beautiful pics of the frigid cold. Have a warm and cozy day, Jane

    Reply
    • Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns says

      January 7, 2014 at 7:00 pm

      Jane the windchill is crazy here too! Hopefully it will warm up here too by the weekend, I think it will be a heatwave at 30!

      Take care and stay warm,

      Elizabeth

      Reply
  7. Sandy at You May Be Wandering says

    January 7, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    Gorgeous photos, Elizabeth, but I can't even imagine how freezing you must have been when you took them!! Stay warm with some hot chocolate and soup INSIDE today!! It is 5 degrees here today and I am trying not to have to go out for any reason. xoxo

    Reply
    • Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns says

      January 7, 2014 at 7:01 pm

      Sandy it was nuts! I am nuts for doing it! I hope you are keeping yourself warm and relaxing! Did you have a wonderful holiday? How is your mom feeling?

      Take care, Elizabeth

      Reply
  8. Erin~Just*Grand says

    January 7, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    Gorgeous photos! I love Lake Michigan in the winter, but I love it every day of the year! How brave of you to venture out in the cold we're having!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns says

      January 7, 2014 at 7:03 pm

      Erin, I LOVE Lake Michian too! I hope you are keeoing yourself warm in IL! I think it is colder and you have more snow there than here in Milwaukee.

      Take care

      Reply
  9. Woodside Park says

    January 7, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    Just as cold here in DC! The photos are gorgeous, Elizabeth!! They look like paintings. Thanks for braving the cold to take those. Stay warm and have lots of soup, haha 🙂

    Reply
  10. Cynthia says

    January 7, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    Beautiful photos. I feel for all of your that are colder than NJ. It is cold with the wind chill but we don't dare complain based on what you are dealing with.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  11. YONKS says

    January 7, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    You're absolute best Elizabeth, the photos are wonderful. Made me chilly just looking at the. I'm surprised your car would start!
    Keep warm
    Di
    xoxoxo

    Reply
  12. Unknown says

    January 7, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    Love your pictures…beautiful! I'm in central MN and it's just terrible up here. Classes canceled all over the state.You can throw warm water out there and it instantly freezes! I'm making sure my bird feeders are stocked. Poor cardinals, juncos, and chickadees. I figured it's a wonderful day to bake.Have a few cups of hot coffee and? Work on my quilt. Stay warm!

    Reply
  13. Bonnie says

    January 7, 2014 at 10:25 pm

    Elizabeth, Your pictures are amazing! We have been cold but nothing like just north of us. It was 9 degrees this morning as I headed back to school. Tomorrow they are forecasting a rather balmy 21. The sun is out and we did not get the snow everyone else experienced. Stay warm and enjoy a cup of cocoa. Bonnie

    Reply
  14. designchic says

    January 8, 2014 at 3:20 am

    We were in the warmth of 12 degrees this morning – I could hardly go outside today but I've heard Australia is experiencing the opposite of 120 degree temperatures!! This is unreal weather…

    Reply
  15. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    January 8, 2014 at 3:27 am

    Great shots! We're in a polar something. Way too cold down here in the south. I couldn't even fathom the temps you have.

    Reply
  16. Stacy CUrran says

    January 8, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Wow, you were brave to go out, but those images are worth it! Truly beautiful!
    Stacy

    Reply
  17. William Kendall says

    January 12, 2014 at 2:13 am

    The lake looks tempestuous!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Elizabeth. I'm "mad for plaid", a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and my pups. Join me as I find the beauty in life and elevate the everyday.

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