The state of Michigan (MI) in the northeastern United States owes its name (from the Ojibwe ᒥᓯᑲᒥ mishigami for ‘big water’) to the presence of the large lakes such as Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. In total, no less than 41.5% of the surface of Michigan consists of water. Michigan is actually made up of two peninsulas. The lower peninsula has traditionally been the heart of the American automotive industry. The economy of the city of Detroit, in particular, relies on the production of cars. It is not for nothing that the city has been nicknamed ‘Motor City’.
Climate
Michigan has a warm continental climate (type Dfa) on the lower peninsula and a moderate continental climate (type Dfb) on the upper peninsula. Both peninsulas have a relatively cool winter and warm summer. On the upper peninsula, temperatures are a lot lower than in southern Michigan. For example, the temperature in Hancock in the period from December to February is also well below freezing during the day, while it is generally very cold at night. The winters in southeastern Michigan can also be cold, but generally show a slightly more temperate character.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).
| maximum temperature | minimum temperature | hours of sunshine per day | days of rainfall per month | |
| January | -2℃ | -11℃ | 4 | 15 |
| February | 0℃ | -10℃ | 5 | 11 |
| March | 6℃ | -4℃ | 6 | 12 |
| April | 14℃ | 2℃ | 7 | 12 |
| May | 21℃ | 7℃ | 9 | 11 |
| June | 26℃ | 13℃ | 10 | 10 |
| July | 28℃ | 15℃ | 10 | 9 |
| August | 27℃ | 14℃ | 9 | 10 |
| September | 23℃ | 10℃ | 7 | 10 |
| October | 16℃ | 3℃ | 5 | 10 |
| November | 7℃ | -1℃ | 3 | 13 |
| December | 1℃ | -7℃ | 3 | 15 |
The climate of Detroit
Detroit is located in the southwest of the US state of Michigan, not far from the Canadian border. Detroit is the state’s largest city and the metropolitan area is home to more than 5 million people. The city is located on the Detroit River, between Lake Erie and Lake Saint Clair. The city is home to the headquarters of the largest American car brands, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. In the city, the founder of Motown music Berry Gordy Jr started this new music movement at the end of the 1950s. The following professional teams play in the city: the Detroit Lions (football), the Detroit Pistons (basketball), the Detroit Red Wings (ice hockey) and the Detroit Tigers (baseball). The city has several universities and colleges.
Detroit has a warm continental climate (Dfa climate), with harsh winters and pleasantly warm summers, although the temperature cools quickly during the evenings. Winters are particularly cold, with long periods of frost. During the winter months, most of the precipitation will come down as snow. It is striking that it can cool down considerably in Detroit during the coolest months. During a so-called cold trap, polar air can ensure that temperatures can drop below the freezing level during the night. In the summer you should not be surprised when it gets extremely hot. Maximum temperatures can reach well above 30 degrees in June, July and August.
On an annual basis there is an average of about 2400 to 2500 hours of sunshine, 800 to 900 millimeters of precipitation and about one meter of snow. The average relative humidity is around 70-71 percent. It should be noted that winters have a higher humidity than summers.
The climate of Flint
Flint is a large city in the eastern US state of Michigan. The city is located on the river of the same name. This is traditionally the habitat of the Ojibwe Indians. The Michigan Warriors ice hockey team plays its home games in Flint. The University of Michigan–Flint, Kettering University, Mott Community College, and Central Michigan University have one or more campuses in this city.
Flint has a warm continental climate, with clear features of a moderate continental climate, but the average temperatures are just a bit too high for this. Winters are long and quite cold, with long periods of frost. The summers, on the other hand, are a lot more pleasant and with daytime temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius sometimes even hot. Precipitation figures are roughly the same throughout the year. In the winter months, the precipitation will mainly come down as snow.
The climate of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is a large city in the southwest of the state of Michigan, in the metropolitan area of this city live more than 1 million people. The city’s top attractions include John Ball Park, Belknap Hill, and the Gerald R. Ford Museum. The latter is a gift from then-President of America Gerald R. Ford, who grew up in this city and moved back to Grand Rapids after his term.
Grand Rapids has a warm continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and pleasantly warm summers. The winters are quite long and have long periods of frost. Summers are warm, but there can also be quite a bit of precipitation during this period.
The climate of Hancock
Hancock is located in the northernmost part of Michigan. Hancock is located on the Keweenaw Waterway. The city is named after the patriot John Hancock. The city is home to Finlandia University and several campuses of Michigan Technological University. The Portage Lake Lift Bridge connects the towns of Hancock and Houghton.
Hancock has a moderate continental climate, with cold winters and mild, pleasant summers. Precipitation in the winter months will mainly consist of snow. During the winter months, the mercury will not rise above freezing, making the city one of the coldest places in Michigan.
The climate of Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo is the largest city in southwestern Michigan. Kalamazoo is located on the Kalamazoo River. The city has a number of educational institutions, including Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College. This is also where the Kalamazoo Air Zoo and the Gilmore Car Museum are located.
Kalamazoo has a warm continental climate, with pleasantly warm summers and cold winters. The winters are long and in the coldest months the mercury will hardly rise above zero. The precipitation figures are around the same throughout the year, although you have to take into account that the precipitation in the winter months will usually come down as snow.
The climate of Lansing
The city of Lansing, located in southern Michigan, is the capital of this American state. Lansing is known for its many education centers, making the city the most educated population in the entire US.
Lansing has a warm continental climate, with warm summers and cool winters. In the winter months there is an average of 43 days of snow, resulting in a total of about 125 centimeters of winter precipitation per year. In the months of January and February there is regularly a snow cover of tens of centimeters. During extreme winters this can rise to more than one meter, with all the inconveniences and dangers that entails. After a relatively short spring, a warm, sunny summer follows.
The climate of Marquette
Marquette is an important port city on Lake Superior (Lake Superior) in the US state of Michigan. The town is named after the pastor Jacques Marquette, who founded the town of Sault Ste. Marie founded. The city is home to Northern Michigan University and the Superior Dome, the largest wooden dome in the world.
Marquette has a moderate continental climate, with extremely cold winters and pleasantly warm summers. Precipitation figures are evenly distributed throughout the year. In the winter months the precipitation will mainly consist of snow. The Upper Lake has a major influence on the climate in Marquette.
The climate of Muskegon
Muskegon is located in western Michigan and is the largest city in the state on Lake Michigan. Muskegon borders Lake Muskegon to the north, where the Muskegon River flows into this lake. The city has a long history and the Paleo Indians used to live in this region.
Muskegon has a warm continental climate, with pleasantly warm summers and cold winters. During the coldest winter months, the mercury hardly rises above zero. Precipitation is approximately the same throughout the year and will mainly come down as snow in the winter months.
The climate of Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is located in northern Michigan, not far from the Canada border on the St. Marys River. On the other side of this river is the Canadian part of the city, which bears the same name. The two parts are connected by the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. Sault Ste. Marie is the oldest city in the state of Michigan and was founded by the French in the 17th century.
Sault Ste. Marie has a moderate continental climate, with particularly cold winters. The city is known in America as the place where the average annual snow falls. Summers are mild and pleasantly warm from time to time, but this period lasts only a few months.
The climate of Traverse City
Traverse City is a small city in the north of the US state of Michigan. Traverse City is located on Grand Traverse Bay, after which the city is named. The city is known for its cherries and is the largest cherry producer in America. Every year, when the cherries are ripe, a big festival is held.
Traverse City has a temperate continental climate, with cold winters and mild summers. Precipitation is about the same throughout the year and will mainly come down as snow in the winter months. During the coldest winter months, the mercury does not rise above zero.
