CLIMATE OF HOWELL Howell, located in central Livingston County of the Southeast Lower Climatic Division, is about 49 miles north northwest of Detroit. The terrain is slightly rolling. Soils vary from clay to loam. For additional county soil information, please contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA)/Environmental Division/Soil Conservation Program, the USDA/Soil Conservation Service, the local Soil Conservation District, or the County Cooperative Extension Service Office. For detailed county agricultural statistics please refer to the publication: "1987 County Food and Agricultural Development Statistics" publication produced by the MDA in cooperation with the USDA/Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service, or the MDA/Press and Public Affairs Division, the Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service, or the County Cooperative Extension Service Office. As a result of the prevailing westerly winds, Howell does experience some lake effect. However, this is minimal and essentially limited to increased cloudiness during the late fall and early winter. The continental type of climate of Howell is characterized by larger temperature ranges than in areas at the same latitude near the Great Lakes which have moderated temperatures. Diminished wind speeds or winds which do not traverse large unfrozen lakes often produce clearing skies and the colder temperatures expected at continental locations. Because the day-to-day weather is controlled by the movement of pressure systems across the nation, this area seldom experiences prolonged periods of hot, humid weather in the summer or extreme cold during the winter. Long-term wind and humidity records are not available for this location, but these data should be similar to the following values which were observed at the National Weather Service Office in Flint. The prevailing wind is south-westerly, averaging 10 mph. The strongest one-minute wind speed, 81 mph, was recorded for May 1956. The average 1 P.M. relative humidity varies from 55% for May to 74% for December, and averages 62% annually. Precipitation was well distributed throughout the year with the crop season, April-September, receiving an average of 17.48 inches or 59% of the average annual total for the 1951-80 period. During this same period the average wettest month was June with 3.36 inches, while the average driest month was February with 1.48 inches. The following precipitation extremes, based on the time period of this station's published record, are: greatest observation-day total, 4.12 inches, recorded April 19, 1975; greatest monthly total, 8.89 inches, recorded June 1968; and least monthly total, 0.00 inches, recorded August 1902. Summer precipitation comes mainly in the form of afternoon showers and thundershowers. Annually, thunderstorms will occur on an average of 36 days. Michigan is located on the northeast fringe of the Midwest tornado belt. The lower frequency of tornadoes occurring in Michigan may be, in part, the result of the colder water of Lake Michigan during the spring and early summer months, a prime period of tornado activity. During 1950-87, Michigan has averaged 15 tornadoes each year. During this same period, 13 tornadoes occurred within the county. The 1950-51 through 1979-80 average seasonal snowfall was 30.9 inches. During this period, 66 days per season averaged 1 inch or more of snow on the ground, but varied greatly from season to season. The following snowfall extremes, based on the time period of this station's published record, are: greatest observation-day total, 23.0 inches, recorded January 27, 1967; greatest monthly total, 29.1 inches, recorded January 1978 and 1 earlier date; greatest seasonal total, 62.7 inches, recorded during 1903-04; least seasonal total, 6.4 inches, recorded during 1965-66 and 1 earlier season; and greatest snowdepth, 27 inches, recorded January 28, 1978. Evaporation data from the Class "A" pan were not available for this station, but these data should be similar to those observed at East Lansing. During 1951-80, the pan evaporation for April through October exceeded the average precipitation by 94%. Therefore, soil moisture replenishment during the fall and winter months plays an important role in the success of agriculture for this area. While drought occurs periodically, the Palmer Drought Index indicated drought conditions reached extreme severity only 6% of the time. Station History of Howell Observations began as a full climate station on March 10, 1890. The records during this period are erratic and the exact location is unknown. On December 1 1896 the station was known as Howell Junction and located at the DGR & W RR. In July 1900 the station was known as Annpere. In July 1904 the name was changed back to Howell. From July 23, 1904 through August 31, 1928 the station was at an unknown location. On December 1, 1938 the station was re- established as a precipitation-only station 1 mi. N of the PO. On December 21, 1948 the station was moved to the WWTP 1 mi. S of the PO. On October 1, 1959 the station was moved to a location 1.8 mi. NE of the PO. On April 10, 1961 the station was moved back to the WWTP 1 mi. S of the PO. On October 2, 1978 the station was moved to a location .9 mi. SSE of the PO. On May 18, 1981 the station was moved back to the WWTP .5 mi. S of the PO. The station has been at this location to the present. For more information please contact: Michigan Departent of Agriculture, Climatology Program 417 Natural Science Building Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 Voice (517)373-8338 BBS (517)336-1075 (517)355-0231 FAX (517)336-1076