Along the coast and less than a mile inland, lake fog traps cool air that allows some northern Wisconsin species to thrive farther south than Milwaukee. Weather and wetlands Large bodies of water greatly influence local climate. Superior and Michigan picks up plenty of moisture, which then falls as rain or snow on the coasts. Because such large lakes warm slowly in spring and cool down just as slowly in winter, the adjacent land areas experience more moderate year-round temperatures than the searing summers and bitter winters inland. Superior and Michigan are cooler, more humid, and receive more precipitation than other parts of the state.
All wetlands change in response to the amount of water available in any given season or year.
Coastal wetlands can bear harsh Great Lakes storms and survive fluctuating lake levels because they are dynamic, changing as the lakes change, yet achieving an equilibrium or balance over time. Plants and animals may be present one year and not another, depending on conditions. Coastal weather even governs avian aerodynamics. In spring, the cold waters of Lake Superior trap warm air near the surface, preventing it from rising. Plants of the coast Call them fussy if you like.