Michigan Winter Forecast: Predictions for the 2024-25 Season

Michigan and the rest of the Great Lakes region could face a wetter and warmer-than-average winter, according to NOAA's U.S. Winter Outlook published by the Climate Prediction Center.

The forecast, which covers the period December 2024 to February 2025, provides nationwide forecasts of temperatures, precipitation and drought conditions.

But different authorities across the country have different predictions about what to expect in Michigan this winter. Here's a breakdown of it.

NOAA is calling for a warmer, wetter winter in Michigan

In its seasonal temperature outlook, the eastern half of Michigan, including metro Detroit and into the Thumb, has a 33-40% chance of a warmer than average winter. The rest of the state is a mess.

But we can also expect Michigan to experience a wetter winter. That means more rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain and hail. The 2024-2025 outlook assumes a 40-50% chance of wet weather across the state.

The farmers' almanac calls for “icy cold” temperatures

The Farmer's Almanac, published this summer, pointed to November in its winter forecast, unlike NOAA.

While the Almanac's 208th edition predicts that much of the country will experience average or above-normal temperatures this winter, the Great Lakes region and north-central states are an exception.

Michigan is one of many states where we can expect periods of wet snow and rain in early November and “freezingly cold” temperatures through November 11th.

Rain and wet snow will continue through Thanksgiving, with a drier forecast toward the end of the year. Christmas “is looking more wet than white in most areas,” Farmers' Almanac editor Sandi Duncan told USA TODAY.

More: Dozens of waterspout sightings have been reported on the Great Lakes

More: Detroit's four-day Youmacon convention kicks off on Halloween with anime, games and cosplay

A red flag is in effect for much of the country in late January due to the potential for a “very active storm track” expected to bring strong and gusty winds as well as heavy precipitation – “ample amounts of snow, rain, sleet and ice”. (depending on where you live) could fall,” the almanac says.

Did the Farmers' Almanac get its winter weather forecast right last year?

Not if you take into account the Almanac's overall forecast of a cold winter in 2023-2024, which was the warmest on record. However, the almanac notes that some of its predictions came true, including heavy blizzards and blizzards from Colorado to the Plains that threatened Christmas holiday travel.

According to the Farmers' Almanac, which dates back to 1818, its longtime fans claim that the publication's weather forecasts are accurate about 80-85% of the time. But many weather experts disagree with the predictions and say the almanac's weather reports may be no better than coincidence.

Old Farmer's Almanac: Mild and Dry in Michigan

The competing Old Farmer's Almanac expects the winter season to be mild and dry in metro Detroit, the Thumb and Up North. The western side of the state experienced cold and dry weather.

“The coldest periods are expected in early and late November, early December and late January through early February,” the Almanac said in its 2024-25 winter outlook.

The heaviest snowfall is expected to occur in late December, late January to early February and late February to early March.

AccuWeather is predicting a snowy December in Michigan

In AccuWeather's forecast for the 2024-25 winter season, the agency predicts an increase in snowfall this season. According to AccuWeather, snow shovels will be needed across the Northeast and Midwest this winter, but they “could end up gathering dust for part of the season as weather patterns are a tug-of-war between mild and rainy and cold and snowy.”

In December in particular, AccuWeather expects brief bursts of cold air to trigger lake effect snow, unlike last December when little lake effect was observed in typical areas.

AccuWeather forecasts temperatures could be one to two degrees above historic temperatures for Michigan throughout the season.

As for the ski season? AccuWeather credits Michigan with “fair” ski conditions for the winter months.

More: After a challenging year, Mount Brighton is hoping for a full season in 2024-25

What is the average winter temperature in Detroit?

Here's what a typical winter season looks like in the region, according to the National Weather Service:

December: 37.2 degrees
January: 32.3 degrees
February: 35.2 degrees
March: 45.9 degrees

When does winter start?

It depends.

The meteorological winter, which lasts from December to February and defines the seasons we usually think of when we talk about spring, summer, autumn and winter, begins on Sunday December 1st.

Astronomical winter begins with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year when the North Pole tilts away from the sun. This year that is Saturday, December 21st, which is 5:21 a.m

The USA TODAY Network contributed to this report.

Michigan Winter Forecast: Predictions for the 2024-25 Season

ByVanessa

NOAA is calling for a warmer, wetter winter in Michigan

The farmers' almanac calls for “icy cold” temperatures

Did the Farmers' Almanac get its winter weather forecast right last year?

Old Farmer's Almanac: Mild and Dry in Michigan

AccuWeather is predicting a snowy December in Michigan

What is the average winter temperature in Detroit?

When does winter start?

By Vanessa

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