In this article, we will address when snowfall typically begins in the state of Michigan as well as what you can expect out of the average temperatures during the wintertime. We will also go over the specific regions of the state and how winter weather conditions vary across these regions. Let’s get started and talk all about wintertime in Michigan now!
Understanding First Snow in Michigan
No matter where you live in Michigan, you’re likely to see snow during the wintertime. In fact, the state of Michigan has a higher amount of snow on average compared to the US as a whole. Depending on where you live, Michigan averages anywhere from 60 to 85 inches of snow in a single winter season, with many locations averaging over 100 inches during the wintertime. But when does the snow begin in Michigan on average, and are there any dates that have been particularly out of the ordinary? Let’s talk about that now.
Earliest and Latest Snowfalls in Michigan
The average first snow in Michigan occurs sometime between the end of October to the beginning of November, depending on the specific region you live in. However, October 12th, 2006 is largely credited with the earliest first snowfall in Michigan’s history. While this date may be inaccurate for some locations in the state, particularly the northernmost portions, this is the earliest date for measurable snow for some regions. In direct contrast to the first and earliest snowfall date on record, the latest first snowfall date in the state of Michigan is December 29th, 1998. This means that the state of Michigan made it through all of October and November without snowfall, and the entire month of December nearly past as well! Again, this may not be true for all locations in Michigan given the northern proximity of the state, but some records suggest that no snow fell in Michigan in 1998 until the end of December!
Largest and Smallest Snowfalls in Michigan
Given Michigan’s proximity to the Great Lakes, they experience high levels of snow and winter weather conditions, likely attributed to the lake effect. There are many different heavy snowfall records throughout Michigan’s history, but the winter of 1978 to 1979 saw over 350 inches of snowfall in the state! In direct contrast to this, the wintertime of 1930 to 1931 only size 81 inches of snowfall in Michigan. While this number is above average for the majority of the United States, Michigan is no stranger to snow. 81 inches over the course of an entire winter season isn’t very much in the grand scheme of their typical winters, especially when you consider the fact that 100 inches of snow is normal for much of the state.
Winter Temperatures in Michigan
Michigan is truly a winter wonderland for a number of reasons, but what are the average winter temperatures like in this region? Divided by the Great Lakes, here are some specific statistics for Michigan and its various regions.
Northern Michigan
While the winter season for the rest of the United States typically ends sometime in the month of February, northern Michigan experiences winter weather until the end of March if not the end of April. Some northern towns and cities in Michigan see over 100 inches of snow annually, if not close to 200 inches of snow! Their average winter weather temperatures range anywhere from 10 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Central Michigan
Lansing is a fairly populated city in Michigan, located at the center of the state. This portion of Michigan is warmer than its northernmost regions, but it still experiences roughly 50 to 80 inches of snow every winter. In terms of its average temperature, Lansing ranges anywhere from 15 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit during the wintertime.
Southern Michigan
Bordered by Ohio and Indiana to the south, southern Michigan is slightly warmer compared to the prior regions we’ve already discussed. However, snow levels are still high for this part of the nation, and average winter temperatures range anywhere from 20 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter Wildlife in Michigan
If the snow doesn’t scare you, Michigan is full of natural beauty and parks for you to explore during wintertime. Wildlife is common throughout the state, and here are some of the animals you might see on your visit:
OwlsHawksDeerMooseBadgersOpossums
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