Michigan 2026-27

A record El Nino is coming

Keweenaw County keeps its own scoreboard by the road: 390.4 inches in 1978-79, 161.1 in 1999-2000. Photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY.

The north

The UP barely notices

Across the three strongest El Ninos Marquette held 99% of its own average and Alpena 102%. Photo: US Army Corps of Engineers.

The west shore

Muskegon loses half

51% of its own average in those same winters, the biggest deficit in the state. It is a lake effect town, which breaks the usual explanation.

1982-83

Four record lows at once

Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Traverse City and Pellston all set their lowest season ever. Marquette took 199.3 inches the same winter.

But

The biggest one was normal

2015-16 was the strongest El Nino on record and Michigan finished near average. Full 77-year record in the guide.

Read the full guide