Maximum Freezing Degree-Days as a Winter Severity Index for the Great Lakes, 1897–1977

Abstract

General regional and temporal trends in maximum freezing degree-days (FDD's) are identified for the shore zone of the Great Lakes Basin for the 80 winter periods 1897?1977. The cumulative frequency distribution of FDD's at cub of 25 locations is used to define winter severity for the 80 winters. Graphs, contour maps and tabulations are used to summarize and portray the spatial and temporal distribution of FDD's and mild and severe winter categories of winter severity.