9 Foolproof Ways To Prepare For The Arrival Of Winter In Michigan

Oh, winter in Michigan: we’ve got such a love-hate relationship with you! Those of us who live in the Great Lakes State are used to the ridiculously cold temperatures and obscene amounts of snowfall, but that doesn’t mean we enjoy it. Here are nine surefire ways to prepare for the upcoming snowy season.

Flickr/Bill Walsh

Wintertime means lots of holidays, and holidays mean lots of delicious food. Unfortunately, many of us lack self-control, which often results in a few stomach ailments during the colder months. If you’ve been known to overeat, make sure to keep that Vernors on hand — after all, every Michigander knows that there’s no better way to beat a bout of indigestion!

Flickr/Kimberly

If there’s one thing we do a lot of during wintertime in Michigan, it’s shoveling. After several months of reprieve, heading out and scooping up heavy lake effect snow can certainly take its toll on muscles. That’s why every Michigander should get a head start and tie a few weights to their shovels for practice!

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Flickr/Pete Sheffield

Ah, nothing says Thanksgiving like watching the Lions humiliate themselves on a national stage. Okay, okay — we know our boys in blue don’t ALWAYS lose, but we can also agree that being a Lions fan isn’t the easiest task in the world. Before the snow arrives, be sure to indulge the rage you feel when the Lions manage to lose in the fourth quarter. You’ll need that extra body heat when December rolls around!

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Flickr/anneheathen

Have a winter coat? Buy two more! One scarf? Why not three? Here in Michigan, we know that layers are the key to warmth — but they’re also important because our weather is so ridiculously unpredictable. You’ll want to keep a t-shirt on under all those sweaters… just in case we get that occasional 70-degree January day.

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Flickr/Cathy

Don’t get us wrong: there’s plenty to be said for hitting the beach and exploring the wonders of our Great Lakes when they’ve frozen over for the year. But if you’re hoping to feel the soft sand one last time before winter arrives, be sure to head out soon. Memories of sunny beach days will carry you through the coldness.

Flickr/Tanya Dawn

There’s nothing more painful than arriving at your favorite ice cream shop, only to realize that it’s closed for the season. That means you’ll have to wait another several months before indulging in a few scoops of Superman or Blue Moon! To avoid such devastation, you’ll just have to venture out before your local shop closes for the season and order six or seven scoops of your favorite flavor.

Flickr/Russ Allison Loar

Heading up north is a true Michigan pastime, and there’s no reason it has to be restricted to the summer months. We Michiganders are passionate about the memories we’ve made at our lovely in-state vacation locales, and we’re happy to enjoy weekends up north year-round. Just make sure to stock those closets with a few heavy blankets!

Flickr/Jan Kromer

Try as we might, it’s tough to crush the hope that this might finally be the year when we get some time off work or school due to inclement weather. Unfortunately, we Michiganders know that snow days are a rarity: so we might as well start reminding ourselves that snow day dreams usually DON’T come true.

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Flickr/Zippo S.

As much as we adore Michigan, we also adore warm-weather escapes from time to time. The best way to maintain a cheery attitude throughout the painful coldness of wintertime in Michigan is to have a getaway plan for when the show is really getting you down. So book those flights, settle in for the season, and count down the days until warmer weather is within reach.

Tell us, Michiganders: how do you prepare for winter in Michigan? We’re always eager to hear your thoughts, so share your ideas and suggestions in the comment section below!