Understanding Detroit's Climate
Detroit experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. From snowy, freezing winters to warm, humid summers, Detroit's weather significantly impacts daily life and home maintenance. Understanding these patterns helps you prepare your home and plan activities year-round.
đ Detroit Climate at a Glance
đ Month-by-Month Weather Guide
âī¸ January - Coldest Month
| Avg High: | 31°F |
| Avg Low: | 18°F |
| Extreme Cold: | -10°F to -20°F possible |
| Snowfall: | 13.4" average |
| Precipitation: | 2.0" |
What to Expect: Deep freeze, lake-effect snow, wind chills below zero
Home Care: Monitor for ice dams, keep gutters clear, check furnace filters weekly
âī¸ February - Peak Winter
| Avg High: | 34°F |
| Avg Low: | 20°F |
| Snowfall: | 10.6" average |
| Precipitation: | 1.9" |
What to Expect: Continued cold, occasional winter storms
Home Care: Watch for roof ice buildup, maintain heating system
đ§ī¸ March - Transitional
| Avg High: | 45°F |
| Avg Low: | 28°F |
| Snowfall: | 7.0" average |
| Precipitation: | 2.3" |
What to Expect: Unpredictable - can be winter or spring-like
Home Care: Schedule spring roof inspection, clean gutters, check for winter damage
đ¸ April - Spring Arrives
| Avg High: | 59°F |
| Avg Low: | 38°F |
| Snowfall: | 0.9" average (rare) |
| Precipitation: | 3.3" |
What to Expect: Warming temps, spring rains, occasional late snow
Home Care: Inspect foundation, check sump pump, AC tune-up
đˇ May - Beautiful Spring
| Avg High: | 71°F |
| Avg Low: | 49°F |
| Precipitation: | 3.4" |
| Thunderstorms: | 5-7 days |
What to Expect: Pleasant weather, increasing humidity, thunderstorms
Home Care: Lawn care begins, outdoor paint/repairs, trim trees
âī¸ June - Early Summer
| Avg High: | 80°F |
| Avg Low: | 59°F |
| Precipitation: | 3.6" |
| Humidity: | Moderate to high |
What to Expect: Warm, humid, frequent thunderstorms
Home Care: Monitor AC performance, check for storm damage after severe weather
âī¸ July - Hottest Month
| Avg High: | 84°F |
| Avg Low: | 64°F |
| Extreme Heat: | 90°F+ possible |
| Precipitation: | 3.2" |
What to Expect: Hot, humid, occasional severe thunderstorms
Home Care: Change AC filters monthly, water lawn deeply
âī¸ August - Late Summer
| Avg High: | 82°F |
| Avg Low: | 63°F |
| Precipitation: | 3.0" |
What to Expect: Similar to July, beginning to cool late month
Home Care: Schedule fall furnace tune-up, inspect roof for summer storm damage
đ September - Early Fall
| Avg High: | 75°F |
| Avg Low: | 55°F |
| Precipitation: | 3.4" |
What to Expect: Pleasant temps, decreasing humidity, beautiful weather
Home Care: CRITICAL - Begin winter prep, furnace tune-up, roof inspection
đ October - Peak Fall
| Avg High: | 62°F |
| Avg Low: | 44°F |
| First Frost: | Mid to late October |
| Precipitation: | 2.7" |
What to Expect: Cooling temps, beautiful fall colors, first frost
Home Care: Winterize outdoor faucets, clean gutters, insulate pipes
đ§ī¸ November - Late Fall
| Avg High: | 48°F |
| Avg Low: | 34°F |
| First Snow: | Usually mid-November |
| Snowfall: | 4.4" average |
What to Expect: Gray, cold, increasing snow
Home Care: Final gutter cleaning, ensure winterization complete
âī¸ December - Winter Begins
| Avg High: | 36°F |
| Avg Low: | 23°F |
| Snowfall: | 10.0" average |
| Precipitation: | 2.5" |
What to Expect: Cold, snowy, short days
Home Care: Monitor furnace, watch for ice dams, keep snow off roof edges
â ī¸ Detroit's Weather Challenges for Homeowners
âī¸ Challenge #1: Ice Dams
When: Winter months (December - March)
What Happens: Heat escapes through poorly insulated attic â melts snow on roof â water runs down â refreezes at cold eaves â creates ice dam â water backs up under shingles â interior leaks
Prevention:
- Proper attic insulation (R-49+ recommended)
- Adequate attic ventilation (soffit + ridge vents)
- Seal attic air leaks
- Remove heavy snow from roof edges
- Install ice and water shield during roof replacement
Emergency: Call Elite Roofing 24/7: (555) 123-4567
đ¨ Challenge #2: Wind Damage
When: Year-round, especially spring/fall storms
Wind Speeds: Thunderstorms 40-60 mph, severe storms 70+ mph
Common Damage:
- Lifted or missing shingles
- Damaged flashing
- Fallen tree branches on roof
- Blown-off gutters
Prevention: Regular roof inspections, trim trees, quality shingle installation
đŠī¸ Challenge #3: Severe Thunderstorms
When: May - September
Threats: Heavy rain, hail, lightning, high winds, occasional tornadoes
Hail Risk: Can damage shingles, siding, windows
After Storm:
- Inspect roof for damage (use binoculars from ground)
- Check for leaks in attic/ceiling
- Document damage with photos for insurance
- Call Elite Roofing for free storm damage assessment
đ§ Challenge #4: Freeze-Thaw Cycles
When: Spring and fall transitions
Impact: Temperatures fluctuate above/below freezing causing:
- Roof material expansion/contraction (wear)
- Foundation cracks
- Driveway/sidewalk damage
- Pipe stress
Protection: Quality roofing materials, proper installation, flexible sealants
âī¸ Challenge #5: Cloudy Winters
When: November - March
Impact: Detroit averages only 68 sunny days in winter months
Issues:
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Moss/algae growth on north-facing roofs
- Slower snow melt
Solutions: Light therapy, vitamin D, keep gutters clean, roof cleaning
đ Seasonal Home Protection Guide
đ¸ Spring Preparation (March - May)
- â Schedule professional roof inspection to assess winter damage
- â Clean gutters and downspouts
- â Inspect foundation for cracks from freeze-thaw
- â Test sump pump before spring rains
- â Check exterior for winter damage (siding, paint, caulk)
- â AC tune-up before summer heat
âī¸ Summer Preparation (June - August)
- â Monitor roof after severe thunderstorms
- â Trim tree branches away from roof
- â Check attic ventilation (prevents heat buildup)
- â Power wash exterior, reseal deck
- â Change AC filters monthly
đ Fall Preparation (September - November) - CRITICAL
- â MANDATORY: Professional roof inspection before winter
- â Furnace tune-up (September/October)
- â Clean gutters multiple times (leaves)
- â Insulate exposed pipes
- â Weatherstrip doors/windows
- â Winterize outdoor faucets, irrigation
- â Check attic insulation (R-49+ needed)
- â Chimney cleaning/inspection
âī¸ Winter Protection (December - February)
- â Monitor for ice dams (icicles = warning sign)
- â Remove heavy snow from roof edges (>12")
- â Keep gutters ice-free
- â Change furnace filters monthly
- â Let faucets drip during extreme cold (-10°F+)
- â Keep emergency roofer number handy: (555) 123-4567
đ Detroit vs. Other Cities
How Detroit Weather Compares:
| City | Annual Snow | Sunny Days | Avg Annual Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 42.3" | 183 | 50°F |
| Chicago | 37.8" | 189 | 50°F |
| Minneapolis | 54.4" | 201 | 46°F |
| Cleveland | 68.1" | 166 | 51°F |
| New York City | 29.8" | 224 | 55°F |
Detroit's weather is milder than Minneapolis/Cleveland, snowier than Chicago
đĻī¸ Climate Change Impacts
Observed Trends in Detroit:
- Warming winters: 3°F increase since 1970
- More intense rainfall events
- Earlier spring thaw
- Longer growing season
- More extreme heat days in summer
Home Impact:
- More freeze-thaw cycles stress roofs
- Intense rainfall increases flood risk
- Earlier ice-out creates spring maintenance challenges
- AC loads increasing in summer
đ Protecting Your Roof Year-Round
Detroit's varied climate puts significant stress on roofing systems. From summer storms to winter ice dams, your roof faces constant challenges. Professional inspections and maintenance are essential.
Elite Roofing: Detroit Weather Experts
With 25+ years protecting Detroit homes through all seasons, Elite Roofing understands exactly how Michigan weather affects your roof. We've seen every type of weather damage and know how to prevent it.
Weather-Related Services:
- â Ice dam prevention assessment & solutions
- â Storm damage inspection (free after severe weather)
- â Insurance claim assistance for weather damage
- â Wind damage repairs
- â Hail damage assessment
- â Emergency leak repair (24/7)
- â Attic ventilation improvements
Seasonal Inspection Schedule:
- Spring: Assess winter damage
- Fall: Pre-winter preparation (CRITICAL)
- After severe storms: Free damage assessment
24/7 Emergency Service:
Severe weather doesn't wait for business hours. Elite Roofing provides round-the-clock emergency service for storm damage, leaks, and urgent repairs.
Schedule Seasonal Inspectionđ Detroit's Weather-Tested Roofer
No contractor knows Detroit weather like Elite Roofing. We've protected thousands of homes through ice storms, hail, wind, heat, and everything Michigan throws at us.
Why Trust Elite Roofing with Detroit Weather:
- â 25+ years of Michigan climate experience
- â GAF Master Elite Certified
- â Ice dam specialists
- â Storm damage experts
- â Insurance claim professionals
- â 24/7 emergency service
- â Lifetime craftsmanship warranty