Michigan Weather Will Be Impacted by Hurricane Ian – Here’s How
Remnants of what was Hurricane Ian are making their way through the Carolinas, Virginia and the East Coast this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those impacted…
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Remnants of what was Hurricane Ian are making their way through the Carolinas, Virginia and the East Coast this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those impacted by this deadly hurricane, especially those in the Sunshine State. But, will Hurricane Ian's aftermath have any impact on Michigan? As it turns out, yes it will, but it's not what you think.
As for Michigan, it's a sunny, spring-like day already throughout much of the state this Saturday (Oct. 1). That warming trend is expected to continue this weekend. Looking at the National Weather Service's forecast for the Detroit area, it include lots of sunshine and warmer temperatures, and that trend is also seen across the state. Believe it or not, that is partly because of Ian. Due to the circulation of the tropical system, Ian is bringing warm, dry air to the Michigan region, at least for now. So, expect sunny and warmer-than-average temperatures this weekend for much of the Mitten. Temperatures on Saturday are expected to be near 70 for much of the state and hover around 65 on Sunday. How's that for a beautiful early October weekend?
Looking ahead, Michigan is on target to get warmer weather for the next few weeks. According to Accuweather, much Michigan's lower peninsula will be near 70 for the weekend and through the middle of next week. Then, a slight cold front kicks in, but Michigan is still projected to have highs near 60 through Oct. 12. That's pretty incredible for an October forecast. I'm very happy to see the warm temperatures returning for such a long stretch. It's time to squeeze that last bit of outdoor fun before winter kicks in and the snow returns. I don't even want to think about it. For more information on the upcoming Michigan weather trends due to Hurricane Ian and beyond, go here.
Michigan has claim to a range of beautiful parks and outdoor areas that are a major tourist attraction for Michiganders and those beyond the Mitten. It's easy to find state parks, campgrounds and outdoor recreation areas throughout the state, which makes it simple to find summertime things to do in Michigan.
Of course, many of Michigan's most charming state parks are located on or near one of the Great Lakes. It doesn't get much more beautiful than exploring a state park near the water. I'm actually more of an ocean kind of girl, but since we're so far from the ocean here in Michigan, you really can't go wrong enjoying the gorgeous lakes.
If you're looking for some summertime fun, I've put together a list of 30 beautiful Michigan state parks to get on your to-visit list. I've only been to a few of these parks, but the ones I've visited are breathtaking. Last summer, I traveled to Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg and did some hiking, which offered an endless array of beautiful views of nature. Another one on the list that I've visited is Ludington State Park Beach, which offers some great views of lighthouses.
If you're looking for some interesting Michigan state park trivia, Michigan's 103 state parks and recreation areas cover 306,000 acres with 14,100 campsites in 142 campgrounds and over 900 miles of trails. The state parks get 28 million annual visitors. Michigan's state parks system was launched in 1919. There are three Michigan state parks that pre-date the creation of the park system in 1919, and those include Mackinac Island State Park (1895), Michilimackinac State Park (1909) and Interlochen State Park (1917). According to Michigan.gov, Michigan has 103 state parks and 138 state forest campgrounds. "In Michigan, you’re never more than a half hour away from a state park, state forest campground or state trail system," they state.
