Detroit - Coldest Decades

The coldest decades on record are ranked here for Detroit, Michigan. The lists include decades when Detroit had the lowest average temperatures, the fewest hot days and the most cold days. These extremes are for temperatures observed at Detroit Metro Airport and cover six decades, from the 1960s to the 2010s.

That is when Detroit had weather measurements that are consistent and complete enough to compare decades. Each decade comprises a standard 10-year range. For instance, the 1990s includes measurements from Jan 1, 1990 to Dec 31, 1999. Links to the data behind these lists are in the References section on this page.

Coolest High Temperatures

Average daily maximum temperature at Detroit
High °F Decade High °C
Lowest 57.9 1960s 14.4
Runner-up 58.1 1980s, 1970s 14.5

Coldest Low Temperatures

Average daily minimum temperature at Detroit
Low °F Decade Low °C
Lowest 38.4 1960s 3.6
Runner-up 38.8 1970s 3.8

Fewest Warm Days

Total days per year on average when Detroit had temperatures of at least 70 °F (21 °C)
Days Decade
Lowest 135 1980s
Runner-up 136 1990s

Fewest Hot Days

Total days per year on average when Detroit had temperatures of at least 90 °F (32 °C)
Days Decade
Lowest 10 2000s
Runner-up 11 1960s

Most Freezing Days

Total days per year on average when Detroit had temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Highest 141 1960s
Runner-up 137 1970s

Most Cold Days

Total days per year on average when Detroit had temperatures of 0 °F (-18 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Highest 9 1970s
Runner-up 8 1980s
References

Current Results. 2020. Detroit MI Temperature Averages by Decade

Jay Lawrimore, Ron Ray, Scott Applequist, Bryant Korzeniewski, Matthew Menne. 2016. Global Summary of the Year, Version 1.0. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

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