Will Michigan Have a Mild or Harsh Winter?

Winter is on the way, and it's that time of year to start wondering if we're going to have a freezing or mild upcoming season. Personally, I'm hoping for a mild winter in Michigan. I love fall, but once the snow starts falling, I'm never a happy camper.

So, what should Michigan expect? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Michigan and the Great Lakes region are expected to have a warmer - but also wetter - than average winter.

Southeast Michigan is expected to have a roughly 50% chance of above-normal temperatures in certain areas, states NOAA's 2021 Winter Outlook. However, areas of the Upper Peninsula have "equal chances for below-, near- or above-average temperatures," so it's anyone's bet.

There's more certainty this year in the Michigan prediction verses 2020. According to the report, Michigan and the surrounding region are also expected to have a 40% to 50% chance of above-normal precipitation. That, of course, means snow.

In other areas of the U.S., colder temperatures and droughts are an alarming trend, according to the Climate Prediction Center.