Weather in Detroit, Michigan
Roses open along the stoops. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Drizzle30%79°54°
- SundayMay 17Overcast16%86°63°
- MondayMay 18Drizzle21%88°65°
- TuesdayMay 19Showers73%85°68°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle61%69°49°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—61°46°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle12%58°50°
- PM 2.5
- 7.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 8.7 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 4.9 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 127.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.5 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 9:30 AM
- Moonset
- 12:00 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open along the stoops
Detroit at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 9°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 30 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Cool-season window is open
As of May 16, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Detroit's warmest temperatures at around 74°F mean, while January delivers the coldest at around 26°F. May sees peak rainfall at 3.7 inches, with February marking the driest period at just 2.1 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 2.1″ | 7 |
| February | 28° | 2.1″ | 7 |
| March | 37° | 2.5″ | 8 |
| April | 48° | 3.2″ | 11 |
| May | 59° | 3.7″ | 12 |
| June | 69° | 3.7″ | 12 |
| July | 74° | 3.4″ | 11 |
| August | 72° | 3.5″ | 12 |
| September | 65° | 3.0″ | 10 |
| October | 53° | 2.8″ | 9 |
| November | 41° | 2.6″ | 9 |
| December | 31° | 2.4″ | 8 |
Regional context
Detroit falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Grand Rapids, MI, Lansing, MI, Ann Arbor, MI, Flint, MI, Kalamazoo, MI.
Naturalist notes
Red-winged blackbirds return to Detroit's wetlands in late March, with males arriving first to claim territory among the emerging cattails.
Sugar maples begin leafing out in early May when soil temperatures warm, their tiny green leaves unfurling just as the last frost threats pass.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Detroit?
- Spring's final frost in Detroit typically occurs around mid-May, while the first fall frost returns around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Detroit?
- May stands as the wettest month, delivering about 3.7 inches of rain on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 35 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Detroit?
- July typically records the warmest temperatures, with averages around 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Detroit?
- January typically brings the coldest weather, averaging about 26°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Detroit?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-May, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Detroit get?
- Detroit experiences about 116 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Detroit?
- Detroit's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city ZIP code.
Climate
Detroit, Michigan experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. Winter brings January temperatures that hover near 26°F, while summer sees July averages of 74°F — creating a 48°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 35 inches across roughly 116 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes Detroit's weather patterns through its latitude at 42.4°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows in the region, when frost threatens, and the daily weather patterns residents experience.