Will West Bay Freeze in '09? TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN (Interlochen Public Radio) - Since the mid 1800's, people have been keeping track of when and if West Grand Traverse Bay becomes frozen.

For the bay to be considered frozen, there needs to be ice from downtown out to Power Island - about seven miles north.

For the first fifty years after the records started, the bay typically froze 9 out of ten years.

Even as late as the 1960's, the bay froze nine years out of that decade.

From there, something happens.

The bay froze 8 times in the 70's, 6 times in the 80's, 3 times in the 90's and once so far this decade.

Things are looking good for a bay freeze this year.

IPR's Tom Kramer talked with long-time weatherman Dave Barrons at Clinch Park this week.

Looking north towards Power Island Barrons says it isn't just locals keeping an eye on West Bay.
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