Detroit has a humid continental climate that is heavily influenced by Lake Michigan. It has all four seasons with a wide range of temperatures and moderate rainfall year round. It is perhaps known to most for its cold, snowy winters, but they arenât usually severe and the summers are hot and sunny. Its location on the lake makes it susceptible to foggy weather. Detroit is a port city on Michiganâs southern peninsula. It is often referred to as Motown, a nickname that arose from its car industry and was popularised by its music.
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Summer, from June till September, is hot and quite humid. The average high temperature climbs to 25°C in June then up to around 28°C in July and August before cooling to a still warm 23°C in September. In the peak of the season it often soars into the 30s. It does cool off at night time but in the peak of the season it generally remains in the high teens. The fringe months can even be quite chilly at night time. June is marginally the wettest month in the year with rainfall decreasing as the season progresses. While rainfall levels are quite high, only around ten days each month see any rain so it is usually restricted to a few heavy showers. Sunshine levels peak in June at an average of ten hours per day and the rest of the season still sees plenty of clear skies.
Autumn, in October and November, sees the temperature plummeting and the sun growing shy. The average high temperature drops to 16°C in October and 8°C in November. Night time lows call for a heavy coat with 7°C in October and only 1°C in November. Rainfall is not particularly high and by mid November it often starts to snow. Sunshine levels drop to an average of six hours per day in October â" which really isnât bad at all â" but this average is halved in November and grey days are quite common.
Winter, from December till February, is cold though not as cold as might be expected at this latitude due to the warming effect of Lake Michigan. During the daytime the temperature tends to linger around freezing. The average hich in December is a generous 2°C but -1°C in January and 0°C in February. At night it rarely gets above freezing with average lows falling to -4, -7°C and -3°C respectively. It can, however, be much worse than this â" averages always hide the truth. It does usually get down to around -18°C a few times each winter. The reason Detroit has such a reputation for harsh winters is really the strong and bitingly cold wind that blows across the lake, forcing perceived temperatures right down. The city usually receives about 110cm of snow each winter.
Spring, from March till May, warms up slowly at first but then gathers momentum. The average high temperature rises to 6°C in March, 13°C in April and 19°C in May. Night time lows creep above freezing around the start of April and gradually creep up to an average of 9°C in May which is still quite cool. Snow is common until April and the wind is still pretty chilly. Spring is often very unsettled but the sunshine levels do improve dramatically as the season progresses.