Michigan Climate Impacts and Costs

The report details how climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather in Michigan, leading to significant infrastructure damage, public health risks, and economic losses in tourism and agriculture.

• Climate change is increasing precipitation in Michigan, with average annual precipitation in the Midwest rising by 5-10% and the four wettest days of the year increasing by 35%. Average annual precipitation in Michigan is projected to increase by another 5% by 2100.
• Severe storms and flooding cause substantial financial losses; NOAA reports flooding costs an average of $4.6 billion per event and severe storms average $2.4 billion per event. In the first half of 2023, severe storms in the U.S. resulted in $34 billion in insured losses.
• Warmer temperatures and increased runoff are driving more frequent and earlier harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Michigan, including over 80 reported blooms across 38 counties in 2022. These blooms increase drinking water treatment costs by $10-$18 per person annually.
• Michigan's average annual temperature has already increased by more than 2.5°F in most areas, with the most significant rises occurring in winter. By 2100, the average annual temperature is predicted to increase by nearly 9°F.
• Rising temperatures are creating a 'cooling crisis' in education; the number of days above 90°F is expected to quadruple by mid-century. The Center for Climate Integrity estimates Michigan will need to spend $2.3 billion by 2025 to install air conditioning in schools, affecting over 500,000 students.
• Winter tourism and recreation are declining due to warmer winters and reduced ice cover. Great Lakes winter ice coverage has decreased by 63%, and snowmobile sales in Michigan have dropped by 70% since approximately 2000.
• Despite overall precipitation increases, summer droughts are predicted to intensify, threatening agricultural yields—such as asparagus, which generates $73 million annually—and increasing the likelihood of wildfires.

APA

Center for Climate Integrity (2025). Michigan Climate Impacts and Costs. https://climateintegrity.org/uploads/media/CCI_Michigan_Impacts_Costs_2023.pdf

Chicago

Center for Climate Integrity. Michigan Climate Impacts and Costs. 2025. https://climateintegrity.org/uploads/media/CCI_Michigan_Impacts_Costs_2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for Climate Integrity |title=Michigan Climate Impacts and Costs |date=2025 |url=https://climateintegrity.org/uploads/media/CCI_Michigan_Impacts_Costs_2023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforclimateintegrity2025michigan, author = {{Center for Climate Integrity}}, title = {{Michigan Climate Impacts and Costs}}, institution = {Center for Climate Integrity}, year = {2025}, url = {https://climateintegrity.org/uploads/media/CCI_Michigan_Impacts_Costs_2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }