Over the years there has been a big change in the weather. Many Michiganders notice the change specifically during the winter season. A few years ago the normal was having heavy snowfall by early November, but more recently snow hasn’t come until January. 

“I appreciate that there isn’t a harsh winter,” High school teacher, Jay Skeen said. “I think we will get through this months without snow.”

  The reason for snow not coming until later in the winter season is not only climate change, but also its an El Nino year. An El Nino year is a climate pattern caused by increasing sea surface temperatures in the pacific ocean, and it occurs every two to seven years. For Michigan in specific this causes milder winters. This is why there has been little snow and not a real winter.

According to The Longmont Letter, the South is cooler and wetter and the North is warmer. This causes the North to not get much snow because the temperatures fluctuate so often. Some people enjoy the not harsh winter. 

“I enjoy the no snow” High school teacher, Angel Landis said. “Because I like the spring time.”

 In Michigan, Governor Whitmer signed an order to help with the changing climate. The plan entails reducing greenhouse gas emissions to work towards carbon neutrality. She hopes to cut emissions down 28% by 2025 and 52% by 2030. The governor intends to cut emissions by creating a clean electrical plant, electrifying vehicles, repairing decarbonized homes/businesses and push further for clean innovation in industries. By reducing Michigan’s greenhouse gas emissions, it should help the global fight to cool down the atmosphere, and bring back true Michigan winters.

  Michigan’s winters are not as they once were. Whether this is because of climate change or simply just a different weather pattern it is still strange for lots of Michigan residents to not see snow until January.