Detroit, MI: When to Go and Weather

Weather: The city of Detroit experiences weather patterns related to its location near the Great Lakes. Cool breezes blowing in across Lake Erie keep the city from getting too hot in winter. Detroit is also situated in a major Midwestern storm track, so summer thunderstorms and winter snowstorms are highly likely.

Summer: Detroit weather doesn't get too stifling in summer. When the temperatures do climb into the 90s, afternoon thunderstorms often roll in to break up the heat, and locals are always relieved: storms are often followed by a few days of drier, cooler weather in the 70s. The average temperature is 75 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.3 inches.

Fall: Fall foliage and crisp, sunny weather make Detroit a joy in fall. September and October are usually warm and dry, though the start of November brings quick changes to Detroit weather, and the transition to winter happens quickly. The average temperature is 60 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2.6 inches.

Winter: Annual snowfall in Detroit averages about 45 inches. That's a lot of precipitation falling in the city from the months of late November through March, so brace for traditional wintry weather, freezing rain, and frequent snow accumulation. The average temperature is 25 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2 inches.

Spring: Detroit is wet and often chilly in spring. The season is slow to start, as Detroit winters are notoriously long, and temperatures don't start warming up much until mid-May, when the highs are in the lower 60s. The average temperature is 58 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.2 inches.

Looking for local weather reports? Try www.detnews.com.

When to Go: Peak Season
Detroit weather is warm and fairly mild in summer. The months of June, July, and August form the city's peak travel season due to the balmy temperatures - the daily average is in the 70s, though frequent heat waves drive the levels up to the 80s or even 90s. Hotels charge their maximum rates at this busy time, and major sightseeing stops are often crowded with families. Still, thanks to the comfortable weather, summer is a great time to visit the Detroit Zoo, take a picnic to Belle Isle, and stroll through the city's historic gardens and mansions.

When to Go: Off Season
Winter is dark, cold, and snowy in and around Detroit. But this off season still sees steady numbers of travelers passing through the city: Michigan offers some of the area's only downhill skiing slopes, so outdoor types and families travel through the city on their way to and from the mountains. Hotels can also be busy with business travelers during the week. Temperatures are almost always cold, dropping into the 10s and 20s many days, and freezing rain and snow are common events. Travelers to Detroit should be aware that icy winter weather often delays flights and makes road travel congested and even dangerous.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
Fewer tourists visit Detroit in spring and fall. Travelers who come to the city at this time will find more hotel availability and fewer crowds at museums and sightseeing attractions: this is an excellent time to visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History or the Detroit Institute of Arts (especially later in the day, when you're less likely to run into large groups of students.) Rainy, often cold spring weather isn't particularly pleasant, but if you stay indoors, you won't care anyway. Fall, on the other hand, sees more tourists renting bikes, sitting in outdoor cafes, and spending leisurely afternoons in parks filled with changing fall foliage.

• Sun

   

  Scattered Showers

  52  35

• Mon

   

  Partly Cloudy

  39  34

• Tue

   

  Partly Cloudy

  46  36

• Wed

   

  Mostly Cloudy

  41  29

• Thu

   

  Snow Showers

  37  24

• Fri

   

  Flurries

  35  26

• Sat

   

  Flurries

  38  31

Get more information on Detroit weather.