Northern Michigan's February 2021 & Winter Climatology

Lack of snow and warmer than normal temperatures over northern Michigan was the big story of this winter.

NWS Gaylord, MI

  • The term "winter" in these summaries refers to "meteorological winter" (Dec through Feb ).
  • Average temperatures at all climate sites were near normal for the month of February along with precipitation/snowfall...with the exception of Sault Ste. Marie, who actually saw above normal precipitation (+0.70") and snowfall (+12.3"). This above normal precipitation and snowfall can be attributed to a system that impacted northern Michigan Feb 4-5th with system snow and lake effect snow behind the departing system.
  • The lack of really cold weather has continued to hinder lake effect development this winter and added to the deficit for precipitation and snowfall throughout the area. Traverse City and Gaylord were the locations with the largest shortfalls of precipitation and snowfall. With these two locations two of the more commonly targeted areas for lake effect snow, and the lack of this winter, this probably doesn't surprise you, but when you start using the term "feet" to describe the deficit...it starts to hit you. Gaylord and Traverse City are 54.6" and 50.0" respectfully below normal snowfall, that's over 4 feet below normal!
  • Gaylord fell into the 8th driest winter slot, while Gaylord and Sault Ste. Marie both recorded their 8th warmest winters.
01 / 05
1

Sault Ste. Marie

1888 - Present

2

Houghton Lake

1919 - Present

3

Alpena

1916 - Present

4

Traverse City

Temperatures: 1897 - Present. Precipitation: 1930 - 1993, 2001 - present

5

Gaylord

Temperatures: 1951 - Present. Precipitation: 1940 - Present