I know we all have our own opinions as to the weather in different parts of the world such as it is hot and humid in Florida in the summer (it is) that it is cold in Alaska (for the most part it is) that it rans all the time in the Northwest US ect. Well I came across a travel site from England and I thought it would be fun to toss up some of their ideas of our weather. Remember this is the travel sites interpretation of our climate.
The climate of Michigan
“Michigan has a continental type of climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) in its major northern part, with warm, short summers and icy winters. The minor southern part falls under the hot-summer subtype (Köppen Dfa). Lake Michigan and Wisconsin in the southwest to the northwest, Lake Superior and Lake Huron in the north to northeast, Lake Erie in the southeast, and Ohio and Indiana in the south form the borders of the state. Michigan lies in the Midwest and Great Lakes region of the United States. The latitude, altitude, and proximity to the Great Lakes influence the climate of Michigan to a large extent.
Michigan, the Great Lakes State, is home to the longest freshwater coastline in the world, with four great lakes, and over 11,000 small lakes in its tow. The state consists of an Upper and a Lower Peninsula, with different versions of a continental climate, joined by the Straits of Mackinac. The topography consists of flatlands and gently rolling hills in the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula, while the western tablelands rise to 480 meters. The Lower Peninsula ranges from level terrain in the southeast to rolling hills in the southwest, with tablelands in the north. The average elevation of Michigan is 270 meters, and Mount Arvon is the highest point at 603 meters.
Lakes and dominant westerly winds affect the seasons in Michigan. Summer days see a lake breeze due to prevailing winds near the shores of the lake that extend inland for a few miles. A reverse land breeze occurs during the nights. Summer temperatures scale the peak of 85°F (29.4°C) in July. However, temperatures rarely cross 90°F (32.2°C) in the north and average only 14 days in the south. Winters are cold and snowy, with even day temperatures below freezing in many parts for days together. Night temperatures below 0°F (-17.8°C) are typical in the northern parts of the Upper Peninsula in the cold season. Spring transitions from cold to mild weather, with ample rainfall. Fall skies are the cloudiest of the year due to the passage of cold air over the warm lake waters.
The average annual precipitation is 31″ (787.4mm) in Michigan, with 60% of the rainfall in the growing season. Thunderstorms are the primary source of summer rainfall, while winters see light, steady rain. Snowfall records in the range of 150″ (3810mm) to 180″ (4572mm) annually in a small section of the western parts of both the peninsulas. The rest of the state registers between 40″ (1016mm) to 120″ (3048mm) of snow in the year. Hail is common in the spring season in the state, while its frequency is high in the autumn season in the northwestern part of the Lower Peninsula. Michigan sees 160 to 180 days with less than 80% cloud cover, and 2100 to 2200 hours of annual sunshine.
The best time to visit Michigan is from late spring in May to mid-autumn in October. The days are warm in the spring and fall, and the bright sunshine of summer is a great time to enjoy recreational boating on the lakes. Early spring is cold and snowy in many parts, while late fall is chilly. Every 5 miles have a lake in Michigan, and there is no area in the state that is more than 85 miles distant from one of the Great Lakes. The microclimates of the Great Lakes region bring pleasant temperatures during the summer. Mid-October is the time of the peak fall foliage.
The worst time to visit Michigan is the severely cold winter season from December to February. The northern highlands of the Upper Peninsula and areas near Lake Superior see snowfall in excess of 150″ (3810mm). Snowstorms affect normal life and damage life and property. The cold months have short days, and the sunshine limits to a few hours daily. Strong gales blow during the winter days to exacerbate the cold effect. The snow cover is persistent, and frost freezes the soil underneath the ground. Snow lovers enjoy the white landscape and the flurry of activities in winter.”
To go along with this summery of Michigan weather there is also a monthly summery as it is now April I will toss up the April summery and try to toss up each months summery in my first of the month historical events post.
Weather in April
“April shows the first signs of warmth in the spring of Michigan and brings greenery to the landscape. The average high temperatures are in the warm zone of 46°F (7.8°C) to 60°F (15.6°C), and the average low temperatures are between a cold 25°F (-3.9°C) to 38°F (3.3°C). Detroit in the southeast averages between 39°F (3.9°C) to 59°F (15°C), while Benton Harbor in the west is between 38°F (3.3°C) to 68°F (20°C).
The rainfall ranges from 2″ (50.8mm) in the south to 8″ (203.2mm) in the Upper Peninsula, as fresh snow keeps the roads slippery. The sunshine improves significantly, but the sun is yet to reach its peak intensity.
The regions near the Great Lakes are slightly warmer than the rest of the state. Spring is an ideal time for boating, kayaking, biking, and hiking with thousands of lakes in the state. Michigan rivers are shallow and calm to enjoy rafting in the mild weather. The waterfalls roar gracefully with the melting of snow and heavy rainfall in spring in April in Michigan.”
Slim
From the NWS! Incredible!
In additional to a potentially messy Wednesday morning commute
with travel impacts, power outages could be a concern too due to
the weight of wet snow – especially since trees are already
leafing out and gusty winds develop early Wednesday
Nice 5 day snow map! Get prepared now!
http://wxcaster4.com/gfs/CONUS2_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SNOW_120HR.gif
Winter storm coming hu?? Stay tuned! INDY
How is that possible! I thought we were going to have one of the warmest April’s ever? Who knew?
Somebody ask mookiee wait a minute he’s not around lol…INDY
Another beautiful day to be outside. I am digging the sunshine.
Yes it is! 61 degrees out but unfortunately I work 14 hours today. 😔
Gorgeous out today!! Perfect golf weather!
Interesting read from a different perspective.
As for the weather, I’ve said many times before this is the best it can get. Temps around 50 degrees and sun, as far away as you can get from 100 degrees and 0 degrees which most consider “useless” and miserable weather.
Currently 46 degrees in Otsego after a low of 29 early this morning.
Can’t talk for too long getting ready for the seventh weekend in a row of golf!! Can’t believe some on here are still wishcasting for snow when we haven’t seen any for around 2 months!! Here are the facts, we’re well into spring and March and April have had well above normal temps and ZERO SNOW!!! I love long Springs!!
The overnight low here was 32 and there was some frost. At this time it is clear and 40.
Slim
I’m dreading going to Florida in August to dang hot and humid I still to this day wonder why the hot 3 on here love the heat yuck …INDY
You will have a different perspective of the term “hot and humid” That can come into play when some one claims it it “hot and humid” on some of the days we have here in Michigan. The good news is that while August it a hot time to go to Florida it can be a good time for some big time thunderstorms but keep a eye on hurricanes.
Slim
Interesting how no place in MI is more than 85 miles from a great lake. Wonder what place is the farthest (85 miles)?
While it is not 85 miles it could be Eaton Rapids.
https://k1025.com/michigan-point-farthest-from-great-lake/#:~:text=Eaton%20Rapids%20to%20Lake%20Michigan,south%20of%20Saugatuck%2C%20near%20Fennville.
Slim
That is as good of guess as any. It has to be a location in the southern half of Lower Mi?
Have to laugh at that because I LOVE Lake Michigan and west Michigan in general. I am stuck here, but my heart is the “west”. Some day maybe I can get closer than the “furthest” 🙂
Low temps in the 20’s and 30’s all week! Incredible!
>>>>>Breaking Winter Weather Alert>>>> Accumulating Snow is expected Tuesday night! Who would have thought with all the warm weather hype on here? Very cold the rest of this month, so get prepared now!