How much snow does Michigan get at Christmas?
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B.M. · 07-30-2012, 09:15 PM

Considering a trip that would put us driving in some northern states during the last week of December and the first week of January. I live in Georgia and do not know how to drive in snow... Is this realistic for me to do?
Here are some of the areas we would be driving through:
Madison, Indiana (Clifty Falls State Park)
Brecksville, Ohio (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Saint Ignace, Michigan
Houghton, Michigan (Isle Royale National Park)
Bayfield, Wisconsin
International Falls, Minnesota (Voyaguers National Park)
Mauston, Wisconsin
West Frankfort, Illinois

I'm trying to determine what kind of snowfall these places see on average December 21st- January 7th. Do the roads stay cleared well? What about these national parks, would we be able to get to them in the winter?

Thanks in advance!

Gin · 07-31-2012, 01:55 AM

I can't speak from experience, but my grandma used to tell me stories about growing up near Houghton and the mountains of snow they'd get. I think they average over 200" per year? The winters are long, so that 200" is spread over several months, but it's still a LOT of snow.
I love the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and I hate to discourage anyone from visiting, but if you're really nervous about snow driving, Michigan in winter may not be the place to be.

Carousel96 · 07-31-2012, 11:23 AM

I grew up in Brecksville!
How much snow they get in NE Ohio depends on when and whether the lake freezes. If there's open water, the winds pick up moisture and drop snow on the hills around Cleveland. If the lake freezes early, there's less snow.

That said, I'd avoid the Upper Peninsula in the winter.
The sites you have listed are all beautiful in the summer, but I'm not sure I'd think of any of them as winter destinations.
Voyagers has very limited services that time of year. Everyone I know goes there to canoe in the summer. I don't know anyone who's been in the winter.

notjustamom · 07-31-2012, 12:14 PM

Wow, you really like an adventure huh. Personally, you couldn't pay me enough to be in that neck of the woods that time of the year. And that's coming from someone who learned to drive in snow!

. That said, weather is so unpredictable these days you just never know. I do agree with the above poster though about the Upper Peninsula being a summer destination.

Huntermom · 07-31-2012, 01:39 PM

I have never been to any of those places, but I would much rather drive in the snow where snow is a regular occurrence than in the south. In the north most people have some idea of how to drive in the snow and most towns are prepared for it. When DS2 was in school in Rochester, NY he said the roads were always clear. when he drove back from Texas in January 2011, the inched through a mix of rain and snow in Alabama. He and his friends, who are all good northern drivers, were petrified.

BelmontBelle · 07-31-2012, 02:44 PM

I've lived in Michigan most of my life and snow at Christmas is very unpredictable in the lower part of the state. Some years we have none at all and some years we do. That being said, I agree with everyone else about the Upper Penisula. There will most likely be A LOT of snow up there at the end of December. If you are not familiar/comfortable with driving in the snow I would not recommend a trip there that time of year (although it would be very beautiful!)

MichaelF · 07-31-2012, 02:51 PM

The upper pennisula of Michigan can get many feet of snow. The past couple years I don't think there has been much early in the winter. I know my snowmobiling friends have not been happy. Last year in lower Michigan we didn't have much of a winter at all (thankfully!)

B.M. · 07-31-2012, 03:39 PM

Thanks for the responses everyone.... I'm still torn/confused as to what to do... Sure, I could wait and take the trip in summer months.... But the thought of seeing all the snow is actually what makes me want to go in the winter time (the idea of snow mobiling and there is dog mushing avail in Wisconsin) but the thought of snow is also what makes me scared to go in the winter..... I have zero experience driving in snow; hopefully the roads would be clear- but I just don't know what to expect....

**chezp** · 08-01-2012, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.M.

Thanks for the responses everyone.... I'm still torn/confused as to what to do... Sure, I could wait and take the trip in summer months.... But the thought of seeing all the snow is actually what makes me want to go in the winter time (the idea of snow mobiling and there is dog mushing avail in Wisconsin) but the thought of snow is also what makes me scared to go in the winter..... I have zero experience driving in snow; hopefully the roads would be clear- but I just don't know what to expect....

I would personally say if you have no experience of driving in the snow, then don't even attempt it.

We don't get nearly as much snow over here as the States and we are notorious for being ill prepared and having terrible road conditions. However, I just wouldn't take the risk. I know that the parts of the States which regularly get snow are so much better prepared than us for it, but if it's something you're not used to, I wouldn't risk it on a vacation for the first time. Just my thoughts...

HollyH · 08-01-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezp

I would personally say if you have no experience of driving in the snow, then don't even attempt it.

We don't get nearly as much snow over here as the States and we are notorious for being ill prepared and having terrible road conditions. However, I just wouldn't take the risk. I know that the parts of the States which regularly get snow are so much better prepared than us for it, but if it's something you're not used to, I wouldn't risk it on a vacation for the first time. Just my thoughts...

If you have never driven in snow, I wouldn't tackle a road trip in the Northern U.S. during the winter

.

I was born and raised in New England and I have been driving in snow for 29 winters. There are times that I still get nervous driving in it. Here's the thing -there is no way for anyone to keep the roads 100% clear while it is still snowing, In our area, once the snow fall ends it can take up to 24 hours for the roads to be completely clear (depending on the duration and intensity of the storm). The conditions will differ from road to road as well, depending how well traveled the road is. So even if the State and Town do an excellent job at "keeping the roads clear", if snow is falling, driving conditions are going to be compromised.

**Disneybine** · 08-01-2012, 09:13 AM

Yeah, no, I wouldn't take a road trip through that area in the middle of winter... If you want to see all the snow, maybe fly to Michigan and stay in one place for a week or so? That way, unexpected heavy snowfall won't ruin your plans (which could very well be the case if you're doing a road trip). Having experienced one LONG, cold northeastern Wisconsin winter, I really wouldn't want to be stuck in a snowstorm in the middle of nowhere...

Carousel96 · 08-01-2012, 09:23 AM

I was going to give advice similar to Sabine's.
There are places where you can go to "see" snow, and "be in" snow. But driving that route in winter would not be the best way to have a first winter experience IMHO.

My husband and I grew up near Cleveland and now live near Minneapolis, so we've driven in our fair share of snow. We drove back to Cleveland for Christmas a few years ago and got caught in a terrible storm. Quite frankly, we're lucky we arrived in Cleveland in one piece. Even my DH, who wants to see his parents for every conceivable holiday, won't drive to OH for Christmas anymore.

phoebec · 08-01-2012, 07:01 PM

I am on the great lakes and let me tell you there will be snow. Potentially LOTS of snow, as in feet. Once the snow is there, it won't be bad driving as they are very efficient in clearing it. But if you get caught in a lake effect "band" you will not be able to see 2 feet infront of your car. There have been times where the faint light of the taillights in front of you is all that keeps you on the road and it becomes very disorienting as you don't know exactly where the road is anymore. I would take it very cautiously and pay very close attention to local weather reports. Lake effect bands can pop up very quickly and dump several inches per hour creating white outs. But like I said by the next day the roads will be fine.

kurtholley · 08-01-2012, 07:22 PM

I live just north of Detroit and some years no snow and some could have a lot. Now the UP I wouldn't even want to drive in some of the snow fall they get and I have a good 4x4 truck

roaminggnome · 08-01-2012, 08:23 PM

I live about an hour south of Bayfield and driving in snow around here is a challenge. The last couple years we haven't gotten a lot of snow early in the winter season. but the U.P.(upper peninsula of Michigan) is a beast of its own making. People up there have doors on the second floors of their homes so that if the snow gets above the lower door you just move up to the next level. The snow is usually deep and if a blizzard blows up in the U.P. or around Bayfield they do close the roads and you could be stuck until roads are passable again. That might be a day or two. The scenery is BEAUTIFUL with snow and there are places to rent snowmobiles most towns around northern WI and some places in the U.P. Dog sledding is available but limited. Not as many places/people do it anymore. You might want to research it before driving up.
International Falls gets quite a bit of snow too. The roads up north of Minnesota are generally 2 lanes and the plow drivers move snow as quickly as possible when there is snow. International Falls is known for getting COLD. Usually they are setting records for the bitter cold they get up there.
Good luck w/ your planning. If you do take an adventure up north make sure to take it nice and easy better to take it slower and be safe. Also have a winter survival bag packed in case of break down.