NATURAL RESOURCES

 

The natural resources which make up the physical environment of Forest Home Township provide for a number of opportunities. They also place certain limitations on the types of uses and activities, as well as locations where these can occur. An effort has been made to describe these limitations. This plan recommends plans that are achievable and suitable to this environment. The analysis that follows, while not site specific, provides information that is helpful in determining locations where certain types of activities should and should not occur.

 

CLIMATE

 

Forest Home Township's climate is affected to a great extent by the surrounding water bodies, especially Lake Michigan and the Grand Traverse Bays.

 

The dramatic difference in weather conditions from season to season provides variety which many people find desirable and contributes to this area being a four season recreation area. The warm summers provide for water sports activities and attract large numbers of people into the township. As a result, the bulk of the shoreline of the water bodies is surrounded by housing. Due to the cold and snow during the winter months, a substantial number of these homes are vacant during the winter when the owners choose to relocate to warmer climates or visit their seasonal homes for shorter periods of time. The snowfall and cold temperatures do attract downhill skiers, ice fishermen, and other winter sports enthusiasts to this area.

 

Typical summer temperatures range from the mid 50's to the high 70's with an average of 67 degrees. The winter temperatures generally fall between 15 and 30 degrees above zero with an average of 19 degrees. Extreme temperature variations do occur throughout the year. The growing season averages 140 days per year. These are averages, so a considerable amount of variation occurs within Forest Home Township. Low elevation locations such as the lakeshore tend to be warmer in the fall but cooler in the spring than the higher elevations in the interior of the Township. Annual rainfall averages over 31 inches per year, with 120 to 140 inches of snowfall being typical depending upon the specific location within the township.

 

Many of the agricultural crops (orchard fruits) produced in Forest Home Township require cool temperatures in the spring to prevent flowering prior to the last frost in the spring, and an extended period free of frost well into the fall. These orchards are best located on the high ground or ridges to ensure good air movement which prevent frosts from occurring.

 

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