The Climate of Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn is located in southeastern Michigan, about 10 miles west of Detroit. As part of the humid continental climate zone, Dearborn experiences four distinct seasons with wide variations in temperatures through the year.
Weather Patterns and Temperatures
Dearborn’s weather is greatly influenced by the nearby Great Lakes. The lakes have a moderating effect on temperatures, cooling the region in the summer and warming it in the winter.
Winter Weather
Winters in Dearborn are cold and snowy.
- Average High Temperature: 31°F (-0.6°C)
- Average Low Temperature: 18°F (-7.8°C)
- Coldest Month: January (average 15.7°F/-9.3°C)
- Snowfall: 43 inches per year on average
- Record Low: -22°F (-30°C) on January 21, 1984
The winter season spans from December to February. January is usually the coldest month. Arctic cold fronts can lead to subzero wind chills during the winter. Significant lake effect snow accumulations are common as cold air passes over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes.
Early and Late Winter Differences
The beginning and end of winter see transitional weather before consistent cold sets in.
- Early winter (December) has average highs of 36°F (2°C) and average lows of 24°F (-4°C). Snow and mixed precipitation are common.
- Late winter (February) starts warming up slightly by the end of the month. Average highs reach 34°F (1°C) and average lows rise to 20°F (-6.7°C). Less snowfall, but still cold and blustery conditions.
Spring Weather
Spring weather in Dearborn can still be quite cold in March, but gradually warms up by May.
- Average High Temperature: 56.5°F (13.6°C)
- Average Low Temperature: 37.4°F (3°C)
- Warmest Month: May (average 65.5°F/18.6°C)
- Last Freeze: mid May
- Record High: 89°F (32°C) on April 14, 2002
Early and Late Spring Differences
The beginning and end of spring are quite different in Dearborn:
- Early spring (March) starts warming slightly with average highs around 40°F (4°C). The last snow accumulations typically occur in March. Sleet, freezing rain, cold rains still common. Overnight lows still just above freezing.
- Late spring (May) sees a rapid warm up. Highs average in the upper 60s F (19°C) with blooming trees and flowers. Lows stay above freezing overnight for good. Risk of a few heavy showers with the occasional thunderstorm.
Summer Weather
Summers in Dearborn are warm to hot and humid, thanks to moisture from the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico.
- Average High Temperature: 81.9°F (27.7°C)
- Average Low Temperature: 61.2°F (16.2°C)
- Hottest Month: July (average 83.7°F/28.7°C)
- Record High: 105°F (41°C) on July 23, 2011
Early and Late Summer Differences
- Early summer (June) starts warming rapidly from spring. High temperatures already top out above 80°F (27°C) on average. Humidity builds with scattered thunderstorms, some strong. Overnight lows still comfortably cool under 65°F (18°C).
- Late summer (August) is the peak of summer heat. High humidity leads to heat index values over 95°F (35°C) on the most sweltering days. With little precipitation, drought conditions can occur in late summer. Low temperatures only fall to around 67°F (19°C) providing little nighttime relief from the heat.
Fall Weather
Autumn brings comfortable daytime conditions but increasingly colder nights to Dearborn. Vibrant fall foliage peaks in mid October.
- Average High Temperature: 63.4°F (17.4°C)
- Average Low Temperature: 44.3°F (6.8°C)
- Coolest Month: November (average 51.1°F/10.6°C)
- First Freeze: late October
- Record Low: 20°F (-6.7°C) on October 20, 2002
Early and Late Fall Differences
Transitional weather continues the cooling trend as winter nears:
- Early fall (September) still feels like summer with average high temperatures around 76°F (24°C). As cold fronts increase, the first frosts usually occur by early October. Trees start changing colors.
- Late fall (November) turns blustery and cold. High temperatures drop into the upper 40s F (8-9°C) with lows below freezing overnight. All leaves have fallen as snow showers start up by late November. Gusty winds signal winter’s arrival.
Climate Data and Records
Here is a detailed overview of temperature and precipitation averages and extremes in Dearborn:
Temperature Averages and Extremes
Month | Average High Temp | Average Low Temp | Record High | Record Low |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 31°F/-0.6°C | 18°F/-7.8°C | 55°F/13°C (1950) | -22°F/-30°C (1984) |
February | 33°F/0.6°C | 19°F/-7.2°C | 63°F/17°C (2000) | -20°F/-29°C (2007) |
March | 41°F/5°C | 25°F/-3.9°C | 82°F/28°C (2000) | -11°F/-24°C (1960) |
April | 54°F/12°C | 36°F/2°C | 89°F/32°C (2002) | 16°F/-9°C (1982) |
May | 67°F/19°C | 46°F/8°C | 94°F/34°C (1977) | 26°F/-3°C (1966) |
June | 76°F/24°C | 56°F/13°C | 102°F/39°C (1988) | 35°F/2°C (1945) |
July | 83°F/28°C | 62°F/17°C | 104°F/40°C (2012) | 41°F/5°C (1992) |
August | 81°F/27°C | 60°F/16°C | 105°F/41°C (2011) | 38°F/3°C (1984) |
September | 74°F/23°C | 53°F/12°C | 101°F/38°C (1983) | 27°F/-3°C (1974) |
October | 62°F/17°C | 42°F/6°C | 89°F/32°C (2007) | 20°F/-7°C (2002) |
November | 50°F/10°C | 33°F/1°C | 82°F/28°C (1999) | 3°F/-16°C (1950) |
December | 36°F/2°C | 23°F/-5°C | 68°F/20°C (2015) | -15°F/-26°C (2000) |
Precipitation Averages
Month | Avg Precipitation | Avg Snowfall | Record Snowfall | Record Precipitation |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 2.3 inches | 16.7 inches | 30.6 inches (1978) | 5.35 inches (1979) |
February | 1.95 inches | 12.8 inches | 27.9 inches (2007) | 4.74 inches (1990) |
March | 2.35 inches | 10.1 inches | 25.3 inches (1976) | 5.51 inches (1956) |
April | 3.31 inches | 2.1 inches | 13.6 inches (1975) | 8.33 inches (2018) |
May | 3.44 inches | Trace | 11 inches (1923) | 12.55 inches (1989) |
June | 3.50 inches | 0 inches | n/a | 10.94 inches (1986) |
July | 3.04 inches | 0 inches | Trace (1992) | 8.43 inches (1921) |
August | 3.38 inches | 0 inches | Trace (1984) | 9.93 inches (2014) |
September | 3.18 inches | Trace | 3 inches (1985) | 9.11 inches (1986) |
October | 2.69 inches | 0.5 inches | 9.8 inches (1972) | 7.66 inches (1954) |
November | 2.95 inches | 8.1 inches | 20.7 inches (1950) | 6.81 inches (1998) |
December | 2.57 inches | 16.1 inches | 39.3 inches (1974) | 5.77 inches (1982) |
Growing Season
- Length: Approximately 155 days
- Last Spring Freeze: Mid May
- First Fall Freeze: Late October
Dearborn’s long humid growing season allows for producing crops like soybeans, corn, wheat, hay, apples, and other fruits. Home gardeners have success growing tomatoes, squash, lettuce, beans and other warm-season produce.
Sunshine and Cloud Cover
- Avg Percent Sunny Days: 48%
- Avg Percent Cloudy Days: 38%
- Avg Percent Partly Cloudy Days: 14%
Sunshine is limited in the winter when cloudy gray days dominate. Summers average over 50% sunny days thanks to influences from drier continental air masses.
Severe Weather
Spring and summer bring chances for severe thunderstorms:
Thunderstorms
- Avg Number of Days with Thunderstorms: 30-35 per year
- Peak Months: June and July
- Main Risks: Damaging winds, large hail, lightning
Tornadoes
- Michigan Avg per Year: 15
Tornadoes are less common but can occur, especially in spring and early summer.
Flooding
Spring rainstorms bring a flood risk, especially along the Rouge River which flows through Dearborn. Flash flooding of streets is also possible during extreme summer downpours.
Unique Local Factors Influencing Dearborn’s Climate
Beyond mid-latitude weather patterns, a few additional factors shape Dearborn’s climate profile:
Great Lakes Influence
The nearby Great Lakes profoundly influence local weather and temperatures year-round. In winter,frozen lake surfaces help reinforce cold arctic air masses streaming southward into Michigan. The lakes also contribute to heavy lake effect snow when temperature differences create instability. In summer, the warmer lake waters add moisture to the air resulting in increased clouds, humidity, and rainfall. The water has a moderating effect on temperatures with cooler days in early summer and warmer conditions extending later into fall along the shores.
Urban Heat Island
Developed areas in and around Detroit absorb more solar radiation during the day. Vast amounts of concrete, asphalt, buildings, and other infrastructure radiate the heat longer into the night than surrounding rural zones. This phenomenon adds roughly 5-10°F to local temperatures. Peak Urban Heat Island influence comes on calm, clear summer nights when winds can’t offset the radiational cooling contrast between cities and suburbs.
Urban heat also enhances convection, leading to a higher incidence of thunderstorms over and downwind of metro regions. The extra heat energy helps initiate storm updrafts and fuels added severity to rainfall rates.
Great Lakes Water Levels
Water levels in the Great Lakes fluctuate yearly based on precipitation and evaporation rates over the massive watershed replenishing the basins. When lake levels drop during extended droughts, wintertime temperatures tend to be colder in surrounding land areas. The lower volume of warmer water cannot emit enough heat to moderate cold arctic air to the same degree as higher water levels.
Very high lake levels can lead to increased lake effect snow in winter. And exceptionally low levels introduce the risk of lake-bottom sediments getting stirred up during significant wave events, causing poor water quality for a time.
Climate Change Projections
Human-caused global climate change will likely affect southeast Michigan’s weather over the coming decades. Based on the latest models and scientific research, here is what we can expect:
Temperatures
Average annual temperatures have already warmed roughly +2.7°F since 1950 across southeast Michigan and are projected to rise approximately +5-6°F by 2050 compared to the average from 1975-2005. This will make Dearborn’s climate feel more like current-day Cincinnati or Pittsburgh, PA.
By 2100 under a worst-case emissions scenario, average temperatures could climb more than +10°F above late 20th century averages. Dearborn’s climate would resemble areas hundreds of miles to the south.
Extreme Heat
Dangerous heat waves are expected to become more intense and happen more often. Based on climate models, what is historically a 1-in-20-year heat event could become a 1-in-8-year occurrence by mid-century around Detroit. Heat index values over 100°F would come more regularly posing risks to vulnerable populations.
Growing Season
The frost-free growing season length is projected to increase from the historical 155 days to about 170 days by 2050 and up to 200 days by 2100 if high emissions scenarios prevail. This will expand opportunities for farmers and gardeners to experiment with different crops and varieties currently limited by winter cold temperatures.
Precipitation & Flooding
Total annual precipitation has increased about +15% in Detroit over the past 50 years and is expected to keep rising. By 2100, yearly totals may jump by 10% or more compared to the late 20th century average. Rainfall will likely come in more intense bursts separated by longer dry stretches within a year.
Increased flooding both from spring snowmelt and summer storms pose a significant infrastructure and property damage threat around Dearborn. Stormwater and sewer systems built for historical rainfall patterns will become increasingly overwhelmed leading to floodplain and land use management challenges.
Severe Weather
The contrast between cold arctic air from the north and hot steamy air from the Gulf of Mexico is projected to grow as the climate warms. This means increased potential energy for explosive spring and summer thunderstorms with damaging straight-line winds, large hail, and even tornadoes within Michigan.
Historical Weather Events
Beyond yearly fluctuations, Dearborn’s history features several severe storms worth recounting for how they affected the city over time.
The Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (Nov 7-10)
This massive blizzard ravaged the entire Great Lakes basin with hurricane-force winds gusting over 80 mph generating waves over 30 feet high. The storm wrecked over 125 ships, obliterated waterfront infrastructure, and killed around 250 sailors. Coastal cities like Cleveland sustained immense damage from the huge waves which leveled buildings and entire neighborhoods. In Detroit, flooding was widespread with most of Belle Isle submerged washing away bridges to the island park. Tragically several people lost their lives in the floodwaters around Dearborn.
The Great Lakes Storm remains the region’s worst natural disaster in recorded history. It helped revolutionize weather prediction models and led to technical advances in ship construction plus better wave and flood preparedness strategies in lakeside municipalities.
The Ford Rotunda Roof Collapse (1962)
In January 1962 a major winter storm struck Dearborn. Heavy wet snow pummeled the area during the peak of the morning commute on January 9 dropping over 5 inches per hour. Thundersnow accompanied intense squalls with lightning and blustery conditions into the evening.
As the storm raged, Ford Motor Company’s iconic 15-story Rotunda building on Schaefer Road could no longer support the staggering weight of almost 2 feet of new snow. The roof catastrophically caved in around 5:30 pm while over 1,000 workers were still inside. Miraculously only one person died thanks to the slow-motion nature of the collapse triggering an emergency evacuation. The sensational disaster made national headlines as crews spent months carefully dismantling the iconic structure. Ford ultimately replaced The Rotunda several years later with a new and improved welcome center.
Midwest Derecho Outbreak (May 1998)
A serial derecho event hammered the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley over May 30-31, 1998. Several intense bands of severe thunderstorms swept across Michigan, including one hitting Dearborn the evening of May 31 that triggered an EF-1 tornado just west of Detroit Metro Airport. Straight-line winds exceeded 100 mph in Dearborn tearing off part of Ford’s truck plant roof and downing thousands of trees. Over 600,000 homes lost power statewide making it one of Michigan’s most destructive thunderstorm episodes in modern times. Amazingly only a couple deaths were reported despite the extensive wind damage. The derecho helped motivate new investments in underground power lines and grid infrastructure to mitigate future blackout incidents.
Record Rainstorms (2014 & 2018)
Dearborn has seen several extreme summer rainstorms in recent years consistent with climate change projections:
On August 11, 2014, a stationary thunderstorm dumped over 5 inches of rain in just a few hours on southwest Dearborn and adjacent Dearborn Heights. Cars flooded in parking lots and viaducts turned into rapids washing out streets in the hardest hit areas. Ford Motor Company saw significant assembly line disruptions after 5 feet of water inundated some production areas at their Dearborn Truck Plant.
Just four years later on August 12, 2018 an even more prolific flash flood crippled Dearborn again after receiving 6-7 inches of torrential rain. Hundreds of basements flooded along with major road arteries like Michigan Avenue and Telegraph Road. Rising storm sewer backups compounded runoff issues as many Ford plants had to halt operations for the day. The Rouge River rapidly exceeded its banks too forcing water rescues across parts of Dearborn and surrounding cities.
Both events exhibited extreme rainfall intensities with climate change fingerprints that overwhelmed local stormwater infrastructure. The flooding signaled the need for bolstered flood control policies and funding measures to handle Southeast Michigan’s altered precipitation patterns into the future.
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