michsnowfreak

Ill probably go B+ but I dont like grading before April. Im sitting at 39.8" of snow, so snowfall itself very average overall. A hot start but a shitty February and so far a non-existent March. However despite very mundane weather since mid-February, that does not take away the fact that the winter featured well below avg temps and well above avg snowcover. A huge majority of Decemer to mid-February featured a thick glittery blanket of snow, constant flakes, and crisp cold winter air. The "early exit" sucks, but doesnt take away the early arrival either. Cant recall a winter when deep winter set in so early. We had just two brief meltoffs between Thanksgiving & mid-Feb (Christmas & 2nd week of Jan), surprised you melted in early Dec.

Who uses "ever" when referencing weather stats? I know it absolutely drives you insane that so much of the region saw above avg snowfall in the 2000s-10s. Ohio was clearly an anamoly in the well above avg snow that dominated MI/WI for many winters (particularly 2005-2015) but the trend of up then down the past 20 years is the same at Cleveland and toledo as the rest. TOL- past 10 years, 24.2", previous 10 years- 42.9" CLE- past 10 years 38.0", previous 10 years- 65.6"

I was just at meijer. The snow piles in the parking lot are gone. They were massive when I was there like 10 days ago.

We won't know the reality for months, but i would be SHOCKED if the 2026-27 el nino is strong. You just dont get strong events like that 3 years apart.

Once again. I have no doubt warmth will eventually spread further north and east. Especially as our snow is gone, ice is breaking up on the lakes and the ground is thawing. But none of the ensembles show massive warmth engulfing the lakes into new England right after March 20th.

Sorry. Back to '26-27

His point about cold winning out from the western warmth the further east you went is very apparent from the winter temp departure.

Yes its torching today. I wasnt referring to you, I was referencing the fact that as soon as winter got off to a cold start, some were "projecting" a warm jan, then a warm feb. Like you, I primarily care about the weather where I live (SE MI) so the frequent posts about record warmth in the West were an afterthought in our cold, white winter. This winter was unusually in that Detroit averaged quite a bit colder than Chicago, but it made sense in this pattern as Chicago was further west. It was still a colder than avg winter at ORD, but very front loaded.

My sister lives across the street from Lake St Clair and the ice is breaking up and pushing ashore.

Not sure. It does seem like the wishcasting warmth for the east this winter has been no different than previous years when some wish casted cold. Its usually short-lived or fails. Obviously theres a warmer signal after the cold (which does not seem confined to just Mar 16-19) but ill remain very skeptical of a torch here until it is imminent. Haven't finished above avg at Detroit since Oct. Nov: -0.4° Dec: -3.6° Jan: -5.2° Feb: -0.2°

AI Euro has done decent this winter. But get ready for plenty of model waffling this week.

The warmth has been crazy all winter out West. Glad its not here though. Detroit hasn't had a warmer than avg month since October.

The ensembles go to day 16 and its cold in the Great Lakes and east coast

Signal remains strong...but still a week out

Your last line actually makes sense (this is not the mlb forum ). It would be interesting to see who are just snow lovers, who are winter lovers, and who are both. Because there absolutely are three groups. In the Lakes subforum I know who's who but dont call em out. Im all 3. It can snow to the end of April but thats not winter. I generally think of winter as mid november to mid March. Even though march averages more snow than November, November absolutely seems like the more wintry month here lately.

Confirmed. With 4 fatalities it was the deadliest Michigan tornado since May 1980. I think lack of warning hurt.

Yup. I get them every spring lol.

The east coast south of boston always struck me as a feast/famine climate for winter, but nyc really feasted this year after multiple years if famine.

A crop of baby bunnies will appear in your yard soon.

I like the different styles people grade on...but if I had to do a breakdown of the 3 big ones, mine would be near identical to yours: Snowfall- B Cold- A Snowcover- A It was a very good winter, but could've gotten a bit more snowfall (and of course still probably will). Cold/snowcover were fantastic. We are not the feast/famine climate of the east coast. This easily seemed like an A+ winter there after a slew of D/F's. But here we always manage to get multiple snows in even the mildest winters, so i place a heavy emphasis on cold/snowcover and not just the final snowfall number.

Not sure if its AI or just a summer picture from elsewhere, but definitely not the Michigan tornado. Reported to be Michigan's deadliest tornado (4 fatalities) since 1980. Ill take more snow. Most are tired of winter, not me lol.

Awful.

DTW got down to 1/8 as well.

https://x.com/NickKrasz_Wx/status/2030051360670937334?app=coremodule=systemcontroller=embedurl=https://twitter.com/i/status/2030051360670937334 If you watch the high quality video on her Facebook. Around the 50 second mark you can see the tornado Crack the ice and waves shoot up

Incredible footage but so sad. I hear there's 3-4 fatalities. Someone said Michigan's deadliest tornado since may 1980.