Climate - Detroit (Michigan)

The climate of Detroit, the largest city of Michigan, is continental, with very cold winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located at 190 meters (625 feet) above sea level, in the Great Lakes region, north of Lake Erie and south of Lake Huron. The two lakes are connected by a river, also called Detroit, which near the city widens into a smaller lake, Lake St. Clair. Across the river lies the Canadian city of Windsor.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -3.5 °C (25.8 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 23.4 °C (74 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 870 millimeters (34.3 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 55 mm (2.2 in) in the driest months (January, February, December) to 95 mm (3.7 in) in the wettest (May). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from late November to early March, is very cold. Snowfalls are frequent, and at times can be abundant. On average, 114 centimeters (45 inches) of snow fall per year. The heaviest snowfall in one day occurred in December 1974, when 46.5 cm (18.5 in) of snow fell. However, snow is not as abundant as on the southern and western shores of Lake Erie (see Cleveland, Buffalo), which are directly exposed to the wet winds coming from the lake.
Cold waves are intense, in fact, the temperature drops below -20 °C (-4 °F) almost every year. The record cold, -29.5 °C (-21 °F), occurred in January 1984. In 1976-77, the temperature remained consistently below freezing even during the day from December 27 to February 8.
However, there may be short periods when the temperature exceeds 10/12 °C (50/54 °F) even in the middle of winter.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
There can sometimes be very hot periods. Typically, the temperature reaches 35 °C (95 °F) on the hottest days of the year, although the record is 39.5 °C (103 °F), recorded in late June 1988.

Spring and autumn, from mid-March to May and from September to mid-November, are contrasted seasons, with fairly frequent rains and sudden changes in temperature. However, there are also stable and pleasant periods.



On average, there are around 2,435 sunshine hours per year. Therefore, even though the winter is cold and the summer is rainy, the sun shines for a good number of hours. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The temperature of lake Erie ranges between 1.5 °C (34.5 °F) and 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). During cold spells, the lake can freeze partially. In February 2015, which was a particularly cold month, it almost completely froze. Here are the average lake temperatures.

Best Time

The best times to visit Detroit are spring and fall, especially the months of May and September.
In October, you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).

Detroit - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Detroit is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -3.5 °C (26 °F), with a minimum of -7.1 °C (19.2 °F) and a maximum of 0.2 °C (32.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (0 °F). However, it dropped to -28.9 °C (-20 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in January 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

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In February, the weather in Detroit is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -2.2 °C (28 °F), with a minimum of -6.2 °C (20.8 °F) and a maximum of 1.8 °C (35.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C (3 °F). However, it dropped to -25.6 °C (-14.1 °F) in February 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 21.1 °C (70 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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In March, the weather in Detroit is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.9 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -1.9 °C (28.6 °F) and a maximum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11 °C (12 °F). However, it dropped to -19.4 °C (-2.9 °F) in March 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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In April, the weather in Detroit is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39.1 °F) and a maximum of 14.8 °C (58.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.4 °C (16.9 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in April 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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In May, the weather in Detroit is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.7 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 10.1 °C (50.2 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F) in May 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the weather in Detroit is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.1 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 15.7 °C (60.2 °F) and a maximum of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in June 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Detroit is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 18 °C (64.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.7 °C (83.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In August, the weather in Detroit is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.3 °C (63.2 °F) and a maximum of 27.4 °C (81.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in August 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in Detroit is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in September 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In October, the weather in Detroit is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.7 °C (44 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in October 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in October 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In November, the weather in Detroit is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.1 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (33.9 °F) and a maximum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -13.9 °C (7 °F) in November 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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In December, the weather in Detroit is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -0.4 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -3.7 °C (25.3 °F) and a maximum of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (8.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F) in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).