The Detroit Area has set a new record for the warmest calendar year in its climate record, which dates back to 1874. The record previously belonged to 1998. That year featured the so-called "Climate Event of the Century" when a very intense el Nino developed in the tropical Pacific which significantly altered Northern Hemisphere weather patterns. This year is different in that there does not appear to be such a strong link to any single phenomenon. The Flint Area, which has a historical climate record dating to 1921, also had its warmest year on record, while 2012 was second warmest in the Tri-Cities.
Average Temperature
Location |
2012 |
Previous Record |
Detroit Area |
53.8F |
53.4F in 1998 |
Flint Area |
51.6F |
51.4F in 1931 |
Tri-Cities |
51.4F |
51.7F in 1931 (current recrod) |
See the 2012 Summary for more detail on the most significant warm episodes, in addition to other noteworthy events, to take place during the last year in Southeast Michigan.