Ontonagon County Climate
Ontonagon County, Michigan
Avg Annual Temp
41.5°F
Annual Precip
37.8"
Annual Snowfall
178.8"
Extreme Heat Days
4.1
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
Climate Profile
About Ontonagon County Weather
An Extreme Northern Outpost
At 41.5°F, Ontonagon County is one of the coldest counties in the lower 48 states, far below the national median. Its climate is dominated by the massive influence of Lake Superior.
Michigan's Winter Capital
Ontonagon is significantly colder than the Michigan average of 45.7°F. It is also much wetter than the state norm, receiving 37.8 inches of annual precipitation, largely as snow.
Coldest in the Region
Ontonagon is nearly 3 degrees colder than Ogemaw County and remains the coldest in this comparison. It receives 178.8 inches of snow, dwarfing every other county on this list.
Incredible Snowfall Totals
The county endures 178.8 inches of snow annually, fueled by persistent lake-effect storms. Winter averages are a brutal 17.2°F, and January often stays around 14.5°F.
Extreme Winter Preparation Required
Standard snow removal equipment will not suffice here; residents need heavy-duty blowers or plows for the 178.8-inch snowfall. Heating systems must be robust enough to handle the 14.5°F January average.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables computed from 1991 to 2020. Station data is aggregated to county level using spatial averaging. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.