Detroit Snow Record: Worst Winter Ever in Motor City

Enough is enough, right Detroit? Much of the United States suffered from a particularly brutal winter this year. But, nothing compares to what the Motor City went through this year … and may sti...
Detroit Snow Record: Worst Winter Ever in Motor City
Written by Pam Wright
  • Enough is enough, right Detroit?

    Much of the United States suffered from a particularly brutal winter this year. But, nothing compares to what the Motor City went through this year … and may still go through.

    Many records were broken in Detroit over the course of the winter months, including the snowiest winter ever, the snowiest month and the most consecutive days with snow cover.

    “Most people alive today have never experienced this,” said Bryan Tilley, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in White Lake Township.

    And although the calendar may indicate it’s spring, Detroit just doesn’t seem to want to have anything to do with what the calendar might say.

    Metro Detroit received 3.1 inches at Metro Airport Tuesday, bringing the seasonal total to 94.8 inches, breaking the 133-year record of 93.6 inches set in 1880-81 – more than double the average snowfall per year.

    If Detroit residents must find a silver lining, then perhaps the fact that it did not break the record for the coldest winter might help a bit.

    Yeah, maybe not.

    The average temperature of 25.8 degrees from November to March was the fourth coldest stretch since the weather service began keeping records in 1874.

    There were 79 days that remained below freezing – the third most days in record.

    The snowiest recorded month in Detroit was in January when 39.1 inches fell, breaking the February 1908 record of 38.4 inches.

    In 1978, the record for consecutive days with snow cover in Detroit was 73 day. This year there were 77 consecutive days of snow cover.

    Hang on Detroit, it’s almost over.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

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