Big Bay has cold, snowy winters and cool summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 75°, a January night drops to 13°, and about 132 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Big Bay at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Big Bay’s climate
Read from where Big Bay sits among Michigan’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in Big Bay feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
132 inches of snow, 31 of rain and melt
September is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 151 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 137 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 22 and the first by October 6.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Big Bay’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
137 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 22 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 6.
About 132" a winter over 40 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 145 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 97% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 5 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 75°.
The nicest months are June, July, August and September. 3.2 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Big Bay and its neighbors
Powell has the coldest January nights next door (9°) and Powell the hottest July afternoons (77°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Big Bay averaged 1.7° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.2°).
A bigger shift than in 84% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Big Bay compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Michigan.
Big Bay weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25° | 13° | 2.0" | 32.2" | 19 | 31 | 8° – 29° |
| February | 27° | 12° | 1.6" | 28.7" | 14 | 29 | 8° – 32° |
| March | 36° | 19° | 1.7" | 11.6" | 10 | 28 | 18° – 42° |
| April | 47° | 29° | 2.6" | 12.8" | 10 | 14 | 31° – 46° |
| May | 60° | 40° | 2.9" | 1.1" | 11 | 1 | 44° – 56° |
| June | 69° | 49° | 2.9" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 56° – 64° |
| July | 75° | 56° | 3.1" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 59° – 70° |
| August | 75° | 56° | 2.6" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 60° – 69° |
| September | 67° | 50° | 3.4" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 52° – 64° |
| October | 54° | 39° | 3.4" | 1.3" | 15 | 1 | 41° – 52° |
| November | 41° | 29° | 2.5" | 18.1" | 15 | 15 | 26° – 43° |
| December | 30° | 19° | 2.1" | 26.5" | 17 | 28 | 16° – 33° |
| Year | 50° | 34° | 31.0" | 132.3" | 151 | 145 |
Heating and cooling a home in Big Bay
97% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 8° to 32°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Big Bay’s climate
What is the coldest month in Big Bay?
February, with a typical high of 27° and a low of 12°.
What is the hottest month in Big Bay?
July, with a typical high of 75° and a low of 56°. About 5 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Big Bay get?
About 132 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Big Bay?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 6, and the last spring frost by May 22.
What is the rainiest month in Big Bay?
September, with 3.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 31 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Big Bay.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Big Bay itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Big Bay 1nw, MI (2 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.