National Weather Service Gaylord, Michigan
Office Information
 |
 |
Office Location:
WFO Gaylord is located at a unique location near the 45th parallel. Just 9 miles southwest of the Alpine Village of Gaylord, it is truly northern Michigan´s heart. Visitors to the area can take advantage of a variety of local attractions, picturesque scenery, and the charming downtown shopping district. Shoppers will enjoy browsing through the unique stores clustered along Main Street, while appreciating the small-town atmosphere of this growing community.
Office Activity:
The Gaylord NWS office (APX) is a full-featured Weather Forecast Office (WFO) with a 25 county Warning Area (CWA) including 2 counties in eastern Upper Michigan. We also compose aviation forecasts for three sites: Alpena, Pellston, and Traverse City, along with 2 TWEB route forecasts. We have a comprehensive hydrology program with contacts in every county, dam operators, and several river forecast points. The surface observation program is limited to the supplemental climatological observations (SCD/ SDO). There also is an upper air program at WFO APX. The office programs five NOAA radio transmitters for Traverse City, Gaylord, Alpena, West Branch, and Sault Ste. Marie. We also have our Doppler radar, covering all of Northern Michigan and eastern Upper Michigan. We have an active outreach program with ongoing training for spotters and emergency managers. Our aviation and marine outreach programs are important due to the complex nearshore area. Our Cooperative Observation program is also large with nearly 90 cooperative sites in operation in our CWA. Community
Description:
Otsego County, located at the junction of I-75 and M-32 in the middle of Northern Michigan, is one of the state´s fastest growing counties. With its natural beauty, recreational opportunities and excellent transportation access, Otsego County has attracted and grown manufacturing operations producing an array of products including plastic injection molded and machined automotive parts, circuit boards, building materials, and software publishing. Otsego County is also home to a unique secondary and technical education program through the partnership of the University Center at Gaylord and the Kirtland M-TEC Center. This 47,000 square foot state-of-the art facility offers technical training, one year, two year, four year, and masters level degree programs through two community colleges and seven universities. Finally, the county has over 20 diverse golf courses and has become the "Golf Mecca of the Midwest." Those who want to experience more extensive outdoor exploring will also find plenty to do, since the Gaylord area is home to 90 small lakes, major rivers and the Pigeon River State Forest. The Pigeon River Forest´s expansive 105,000 acres with the Midwest´s only free ranging elk herd offers a unique wilderness experience with some of the best hiking in Michigan. Some of the trails are also available to mountain bikes and combined with the track at Gaylord´s Aspen Park, offers some of the best biking in Michigan. Not only can Gaylord meet any vacationer´s recreational needs, but guests will also find the perfect up north retreat in our unique range of accommodations from rustic cabins to full service resorts. We invite you to come and sample our breathtaking summer sunsets, stunning fall colors and the spectacular snow scenes only Northern Michigan can offer.
 |
 |
Population: (census 2000) 3,681 Males: 1,629 (44.3%), Females: 2,052 (55.7%) Elevation: 1349 feet County: Otsego Land area: 3.9 square miles Zip codes: 49734 & 49735. Median resident age: 37.6 years Median household income: $28,770 (year 2000) Median house value: $92,700 (year 2000)
Transient and Permanent Living Accommodations:
There are a number of good motels in the Gaylord area. Reservations are a must, as there are a large number of tourist and business travelers in the area. Permanent housing is plentiful with prices generally ranging from the $80´s. Newer subdivision houses range from $120k to $250k. Most homes in the area have basements. Apartments are available but scarce in Gaylord, however there are a number of duplex units.
Local Transportation:
There is municipal transportation available, and a cab company that operates in the Gaylord area. Flights are generally from either Traverse City, Pellston or Saginaw, however the local airport in Gaylord is expanding and future flights to larger hubs are expected in the future. Access to any of the three airports is approximately one hour from the office.
Eating Facilities:
There are a number of restaurants within five miles of the office and with the growing economy and with one of the fastest growing counties in Michigan, more are opening regularly. Prices for meals vary greatly depending on cuisine; however, most are very reasonable. The close by cities of Traverse City and Petoskey offer a wide variety of eating establishments nearby.
Taxes:
There is a state income tax, but not a city tax in Otsego County. The property tax in Otsego County was approximately $1500 on a $100,000 house in 2000. There is no personal property tax. The largest tax burden is a sales tax of 6.00% which is levied against all purchases, but food.
Education:
The Primary and Secondary schools in Otsego county are very good and both rank well above the state average on standardized tests. School District Profile: Gaylord Community Schools are located about fifty miles directly south of the Mackinac Bridge on I-75. Our district encompasses approximately 265 square miles, including portions of Otsego, Antrim, and Crawford counties. Currently, Gaylord Community Schools is classified as a "Class A" school district consisting of one high school (9-12), one middle school (7-8), one intermediate school (4-5-6), two elementary schools (K-3), one alternate education building (9-12), and one community education facility. Student enrollment for the 2002-2003 school year was over 3524 students.
Child Care Facilities:
There are numerous day care and after school care facilities.
Economy:
The local economy in the northern Michigan region is booming. A large number of industries are moving into the local area, including food and manufacturing facilities. Otsego County had one of the highest growth rates in the state over the past five years. The Otsego Chamber of Commerce is very aggressive in attracting industry to the area.
Climate:
To see climate information, go to our Climate section of our webpage.
Recreation:
Discover Michigan golf and see first hand why Golf Digest selected Michigan as the twelfth best golf destination in the world. Michigan is home to more than 1,000 golf courses and many world-class golf resort facilities. Experience our breathtaking vistas, lush fairways and blue waters, which leave golfers anxious to play again and again. Michigan is America´s Summer Golf Capital. Some courses around the area include: Gaylord Country Club, Green Trees Golf , Marsh Ridge, Masterpiece Golf Course, Michaywe´, Natural (The) at Beaver Creek, Otsego Club and Resort, Treetops resort, & Garland Resort. In total, 20 plus - 18 hole golf courses, 3 downhill ski resorts, 18 cross country ski trails, 400 miles of snowmobile trails, headwaters of the AuSable, Pigeon, Manistee, Black, Sturgeon and Boyne rivers, Pigeon River State Forest, Mackinaw State Forest, Otsego County Sportsplex with regulation ice rink and pool, Michigan´s Elk herd, Alpenfest, Fiddlers Jamboree, Gus Macker Tournament, Winterfest, ASRA Snow-Cross Race.
National Weather Forecast Office Gaylord, Michigan (APX)
North Central Lower Michigan
