Northern Michigan's January 2021 Climatology
Lack of snow and warmer than normal temperatures over northern Michigan still the big story of this winter.
- All climate sites were about 6 to 9 degrees above normal for the month of January with the last week to week and a half of the month finally recording some days below normal. With the exception of Houghton Lake, all sites were in the top 10 for warmest Januaries on record.
- The lack of cold weather that has hindered lake effect development this winter has continued to increase the deficit for precipitation and snowfall throughout the area. Traverse City recorded the largest deficit for January 2021 out of the 5 main climate sites...with their normal snowfall for the month at 33.2", they only received a measly 5.9"! That's over 2 feet less snow that's fallen than what is normal for the month! Gaylord was close behind with their average of 37.2" and only 18.2" falling last month.
- Alpena, Gaylord, and Traverse City all fell in the top ten for the driest January ever, while Gaylord and Traverse City also made the top ten for the least snowiest January on record.
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