Rare Thundersnow and freezing temperatures grip Michigan

Winter’s Early Arrival

Michigan, a northern state known for its severe winters, experienced an early onset of cold weather marked by rare thundersnow and record-breaking low temperatures in the first week of December. The unusually chilly conditions, more fitting of mid-January, engulfed most of the state, causing traffic disturbances and disrupting the usual lifestyle of residents.

Thundersnow on the Horizon

Thundersnow, a rare meteorological phenomenon combining thunder, lightning and snowfall, was reported in the region of Thumb. The spectacle occurred for a few hours, beginning around midnight on Tuesday. This weather oddity was accompanied by 1-2 inches of additional snowfall, adding to the challenges posed by the cold snap.

Below Normal Temperatures

Southeast Michigan saw temperatures plunge significantly below the usual for the time of year. Daytime highs in the 20s and 30s were replaced by lows reaching the upper teens. The severe cold was described as “a cold one” by meteorologists who foresaw a gradual rise in temperatures into the 40s in the following week. Nevertheless, midweek saw a steep downward shift as 30-40 mph winds increased the wind chill factor.

Winter Comes Early

Though, according to the astronomical calendar, winter begins after the winter solstice on December 21, meteorologists recognize December 1 as the start of the new winter season. This year, winter arrived early, with a record snowfall in Michigan and across other Midwest and Northeast states, due to a weekend snowstorm.

Lake-Effect Snow

The significantly high amount of snowfall was caused by lake-effect snow, a phenomenon that occurs when cold air crosses over the warm waters of the Great Lakes, creating dense snow bands. These bands deposit substantial amounts of snow in narrow, localized areas. While Michigan was busy grappling with the snow, neighboring states, Pennsylvania and New York also faced severe winter conditions.

The heavy snowfall had varying effects across the state. Particularly, travel was heavily impacted with road and train disruptions. For example, the Chicago-Detroit Amtrak train faced major setbacks over the weekend due to mechanical problems caused by the severe weather.

Impact on Daily Life

Many regions of Northern Michigan are no strangers to heavy snow. The area witnessed record-breaking snowfall totals during the long weekend, as reported by locals. The city of Gaylord received over 3 ½ feet of snow on Friday alone, far exceeding its usual November average of 1 ½ feet of snow.

The snowfall also had an impact on sports events throughout the state. The football game against Rutgers at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing had a considerably reduced audience due to the precipitation during the match.

Michigan, along with the Midwest and Northeast, is slowly digging out from under the snow as it grapples with the early winter. While the snow can create beautiful winter scenes and opportunities for winter sports, it presents a host of challenges for day-to-day operations.