February Temperature Outlook In MI Looks Nothing Like 1934 Record

MICHIGAN — February temperatures in Michigan should be above average, according to an updated outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center.

Overall, the temperature outlook for the last month of meteorological winter favors well-above normal temperatures in the northern half of the nation, and near-average temperatures in parts of the Southwest and Southeast, according to the forecast.

Precipitation, whether as rain or snow, looks to be above average across large parts of the southern, central and southeastern parts of the country, but well below average in the Pacific Northwest and around the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and in the Northeast, according to the outlook.

In Michigan, precipitation will be below above, especially in the Upper Peninsula, accosting to the weather data.

So far this month, Michigan has seen above average temperatures, with highs averring in the upper 30s and low 40s. The seven-day forecast calls for near record highs this week as temperatures could reach 60s across Michigan.

Historically, February can bring some of the coldest temperatures of winter. In Michigan, the coldest day on record was Feb. 9, 1934, when the thermometer registered 51 degrees below zero at Vanderbilt.

February 2023 was the third-warmest on record nationwide since record keeping began in 1895, according to another Climate Prediction Center report. In Michigan, temperatures last year were the roughly 3 to 6 degrees above average.

In addition, Great Lakes ice coverage reached a record low during mid-February 2023 at 7.5 percent, which was well below the average of 41 percent.

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A group of Michigan researchers were forced to suspend the annual Wolf and Moose Winter Study on Isle Royale because of melting ice on Lake Superior.

Two popular northern Michigan events were canceled this month due to lack of ice. The 2024 Black Lake sturgeon harvest in Cheboygan County was canceled due melting ice.