Excessive Heat in Michigan, March 8, 2000

An unusual late-winter warm spell began February 22, and continued through March 9. Normal high temperatures during this time are in the 35 to 40 degree range. However, during this 17-day stretch, Detroit failed to reach 50 degrees just once, and Flint only three times. There were six days in the 60s or higher in both Flint and Detroit, and five such days in Saginaw. The warm weather produced five new record highs in Flint, and three in Detroit.The heat wave culminated on March 8th, with both Flint and Detroit reaching 80 degrees. This was the earliest 80 degree day ever for both cities. Previously, the earliest 80 degree in Detroit was March 22 1938, while in Flint it was April 2 1965. The 80 degrees at Flint was the warmest March day ever, beating several 79 degree days, most recently March 30 1998. The weather was not only warm, but dry. This contributed to several brush fires toward the end of the warm spell. Genesee, Saginaw, St Clair, and Washtenaw Counties, each saw fires burn up to 10 acres of land.