Northern Michigan Memorial Day Climatology

Northern Michigan Memorial Day Climatology

With the Memorial Day holiday weekend approaching, it is always interesting to take a look back at some of the extremes that have occurred on the holiday over the last 100+ years across northern Michigan. Below is a look at the warmest, coldest, and wettest Memorial Days (originally known as "Decoration Day") recorded for various cities throughout the region. Up until 1971, Memorial Day was traditionally celebrated on May 30th of each year, before a change in federal law in 1971 moved the holiday to the last Monday in the month of May. As can be seen, there is much variability from year to year across the region.

The National Weather Service office in Gaylord would like to extend a sincere thank you to all those who have served or are serving to protect our country.

Quick Jump to a City:
Alpena | Traverse City | Gaylord | Sault Ste Marie | Houghton Lake

Alpena Extremes
Warmest	Coldest	Wettest
94ºF (May 30, 1937)	29ºF (May 30, 1964)	1.61" (May 28, 1973)

Last 5 Years
Year	High	Low	Precip
2011	70ºF	53ºF	0.00"
2010	85ºF	53ºF	Trace
2009	57ºF	38ºF	0.00"
2008	82ºF	42ºF	0.03"
2007	71ºF	42ºF	0.00"

Traverse City Extremes
Warmest	Coldest	Wettest
93ºF (May 29, 2006)	28ºF (May 25, 1992)	0.64" (May 28, 1973)

Last 5 Years
Year	High	Low	Precip
2011	89ºF	53ºF	0.00"
2010	77ºF	52ºF	0.01"
2009	72ºF	34ºF	0.00"
2008	82ºF	41ºF	0.00"
2007	67ºF	44ºF	0.00"

Gaylord Extremes
Warmest	Coldest	Wettest
90ºF (May 29, 2006)	27ºF (May 25, 1992)	1.03" (May 30, 1956)

Last 5 Years
Year	High	Low	Precip
2011	84ºF	57ºF	0.00"
2010	77ºF	55ºF	Trace
2009	67ºF	39ºF	0.00"
2008	75ºF	52ºF	0.15"
2007	71ºF	43ºF	0.00"

Sault Ste Marie Extremes
Warmest	Coldest	Wettest
91ºF (May 30, 1919)	29ºF (May 25, 1992)	1.48" (May 30, 1953)

Last 5 Years
Year	High	Low	Precip
2011	70ºF	54ºF	0.02"
2010	67ºF	47ºF	0.11"
2009	65ºF	38ºF	0.00"
2008	61ºF	36ºF	0.02"
2007	65ºF	44ºF	0.00"

Houghton Lake Extremes
Warmest	Coldest	Wettest
92ºF (May 30, 1937)	28ºF (May 30, 1947)	0.60" (May 30, 1956)

Last 5 Years
Year	High	Low	Precip
2011	87ºF	59ºF	0.00"
2010	82ºF	59ºF	0.25"
2009	64ºF	37ºF	0.00"
2008	80ºF	45ºF	0.00"
2007	72ºF	49ºF	0.00"

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Northern Michigan Memorial Day Climatology