It's Been 100 Years Since Michigan's Biggest May Blizzard

While snow in Michigan during the month of May isn't unheard of, a blizzard in May is a rare occurrence. And 100 years ago this week, Southern Michigan got pounded with snow.

The Forecast Called for 'Flurries'

Weather predictions and weather forecasting equipment weren't what they are today back in 1923.

(This may be the time when you interject with a quip about how inaccurate weather forecasts can be today. Go ahead, I'll wait.)

But the forecast for May 9, 1923, actually called for 'flurries' across Southern Lower Michigan. And oh boy, did we get flurries. Lots and lots of flurries.

Record-Breaking Snowfall

Not only were snowfall records broken in Flint, Detroit, Bay City, Lansing, Muskegon, and Grand Rapids, but May 9 was the biggest snow day of the entire calendar year. According to WOOD-TV's meteorologist Bill Steffen, more snow fell between midnight and midnight beginning on May 9 than any other day in 1923.

Here are the snowfall totals for that day:

Flint - 12 inches
Lansing - 11.5 inches
Bay City/Saginaw - 9 inches
Detroit - 6 inches
Grand Rapids - 5.5 inches
Muskegon - 5 inches

Jim Goodspeed of the Gratiot County Historical Society was kind enough to provide us with the following photos of Michigan, taken on that very day 100 years ago in 1923.

Credit: Julia Rench in Alma, Michigan. (Courtesy of Jim Goodspeed and the Alma Historical Blog and the Gratiot Co. Historical Society)

A Massive Cold Front

Steffen notes that a large cold front moved across the Lower Peninsula on May 8, causing the temperature to plummet from 62 degrees at 1 pm to 34 degrees at 6 pm.

Although the storm did knock down some trees and take out some electric, telephone, and telegraph lines, there was very little damage to Michigan's fruit crops.

Temps climbed back up into the 60s the following day in parts of the state so the snow didn't stick around long.

These Weather Memes Are Pure Michigan

These Michigan weather memes are the best of the best.

The House That Cereal Built - Step Inside the Kellogg Mansion

Taking a peek into the Kellogg Mansion is like stepping back in time. The home, built in 1925 was originally known as the Villa Marina in Dunedin Isles.

William Kellogg, who founded the Michigan-based Kellogg's company only lived in the sprawling mansion for about three years (during the winter months) before his death in 1951. Eventually, the home succumbed to structural damage and was demolished a few years ago.

In addition to the photos below, you can take a virtual tour of the home using virtual reality. A news story highlighting the University of Florida's program is included below.