9 Things No One Tells You About Surviving A Michigan Winter

There’s no doubt about it: winter is in full swing here in the Great Lakes State. No matter how many times you’ve experienced the snow and cold that comes about each year, there’s still something undeniably special about the winter season. If you’re relatively new to our state, though, you might have a bit left to learn. Here are nine things no one teaches you about getting through a Michigan winter!

Flickr/Tom Gill

Perhaps you’re sick of hearing about this elusive "lake effect" snow that seems to be hyped up every winter. If you don’t live near the lakeshore, though, you can’t fully understand the reality of this wintry concoction. Lake effect exists, and it can certainly take its toll on waterfront communities. Be forewarned if you decide to venture to the west side of the state this season!

Flickr/Ben + Sam

If you’ve recently relocated to Michigan from a warmer climate where moderate snowfall meant an automatic day off work, you’re in for a rude awakening. Here in Michigan, we venture to work in all sorts of inclement weather -- even blizzards! Get those snow tires installed and prepare for some icy roads.

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Flickr/Karin Beil

Make sure your kiddos are prepared for the reality of a Michigan winter: despite the buckets of snow, school cancellations happen much more rarely than they might in other states. There’s nothing like a good dose of disappointment to prepare your children for the real world! When a snow day does arrive, however, they’ll experience the purest joy imaginable.

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Flickr/Andrew Bowden

We know, we know: those fancy, heavy-duty boots are a bit pricey. But we promise you’ll get your money’s worth! Here in Michigan, layers are incredibly important as you navigate the freezing cold temperatures and wet snow. Go ahead and buy that down jacket. You’ll be glad you did!

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Flickr/Rachel Kramer

Michigan is a natural wonderland during the warmer months, but winter doesn’t have to put an end to your adventurous ways! Whether you’re exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes in all their frozen beauty, enjoying a winter-weather hike, or marveling at an icy Lake Michigan shoreline, you’ll have a blast exploring our state’s lovely wintertime attractions.

Flickr/Robbie Sproule

There’s nothing worse than finding yourself stuck in the snow and ice and not knowing how to dislodge your car. There are plenty of tips and tricks that will help you when you need to get on the road as fast as possible -- and we recommend reading up before it’s too late!

Flickr/carolannie

Sure, most of these tips will come into play between December and February, but that doesn’t mean our state is void of snow during other months! Try as we might, we simply can’t predict Michigan’s weather patterns -- and our area has been known to experience snow during April and May! Unfortunately, we aren’t always able to put our snow boots away when the typical winter season ends.

Flickr/Russ Allison Loar

You’re going to finish up every Michigan winter with some seriously impressive muscles. Here in the Great Lakes State, our snow is heavy: and we’re sure you’ll do your fair share of shoveling! Get ready to sweat, huff, puff, and lift throughout the winter. The upside? You can definitely skip the gym on snowy days.

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Flickr/Donaar

Despite our complaints about the cold weather and snowstorms, many of us find ourselves longing for chillier days when the heat of summer rolls around. There’s something truly magical about a Michigan winter, whether we’re exploring the frozen beachfront or ice skating with loved ones beneath the stars. Don’t be too quick to speak negatively of wintertime: you might just wish for one more day once it’s gone.

Tell us, Michiganders: are there any other secrets that might help others prepare for survival during a freezing Michigan winter? We’d love to hear your suggestions and ideas, so share your thoughts in the comment section!