Michigan College Town Could Double Last Year's Snowfall Total

Sometimes, the reality that there are towns in Michigan that face significant snowfall as late as May escapes me as I complain while squirting away the tiny layer of frost with my windshield wipers in March or April. Now, imagine you have to walk to class in late March with over two feet of snow working against you.

According to Keweenaw County, after getting pelted with 10 inches of snow on Sunday, March 23, 2025, and another 5 inches on Monday, Houghton, Michigan, is on the cusp of doubling its snowfall total from last year. While not unexpected in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, students at Michigan Technological University are left trudging through fresh snow while the rest of us complain about 40-degree temps with sunshine.

Houghton, Michigan Dealing with Double the Snow From 2023-24

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The aptly named Huskies of Michigan Tech are within inches of doubling last year's snowfall total. In 2023-24, Houghton, Michigan, received 153.25 inches for the season. Travel Ironwood reports that the annual average is 202 inches. Last year's disappointing winter led to a less-than-stellar Winter Carnival, a must-see yearly tradition with ice sculpture competitions.

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What a difference a year makes. The 2024-25 winter, as of March 24, 2025, has dumped 283.75 inches on Houghton, leaving just 22.75 inches to reach 306.5, which would double last year's total. Considering 24.5 inches feel after March 24 last year, with 7.5 of those coming in April, it's possible.

Could This Be a Record Year?

Michigan Technological University via YouTube

While over 300 inches might seem like a record annual snowfall to Lower Peninsula residents, that's still 55.9 inches shy. In the winter of 1978-79, Houghton got a jaw-dropping total of 355.9 inches of snow. That's nearly 30 feet of snow in a single season.

Oh, and if you thought 15 inches of snow in less than 24 hours would result in class being canceled, think again. Michigan Tech students report to class in conditions that would shut down a lot of towns in the Lower Peninsula.

World's Largest Snow Thermometer is in Mohawk, Michigan

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is full of beautiful views, but if you're looking for the perfect 'Proof of Vacation' photo, then Keweenaw's Snow Thermometer is a must-see. Here's a look at the World's Largest Snow Thermometer.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Blizzard of 1978: When Mother Nature's Fury Shut Down Michigan

The Blizzard of 1978 was an iconic storm system made possible by two converging fronts, one from the Gulf of Mexico, meeting a northern system from Canada creating record snowfall and hurricane-force winds that shutdown Michigan's transportation system, both on the ground and in the air. Here's a look at WOOD TV 8's coverage from January 25th through January 27th, 1978.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

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