Registered to Neighborhoods · 4 min read
Service notes
- Detroit averages 45 inches of snow and about 120 nights at or below freezing a year, according to NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 normals.
- DWSD advises disconnecting downspouts from the sewer and, where needed, installing a backwater valve or sump pump.
- Sewer backup damage claims must be filed with DWSD within 45 days of discovering the backup.
Detroit has four real seasons, and newcomers from warmer places usually ask about the winters first. Snow and cold are manageable with the right preparation. The weather risk that surprises more people is water in the basement after a summer storm. This guide covers both, using NOAA climate normals for Detroit Metropolitan Airport and guidance from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.
The climate in numbers
| Month | Average high | Average low | Precipitation | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32.3 F | 19.2 F | 2.23 in | 14.0 in |
| February | 35.2 F | 20.8 F | 2.08 in | 12.5 in |
| March | 45.9 F | 28.6 F | 2.43 in | 6.2 in |
| April | 58.7 F | 39.1 F | 3.26 in | 1.5 in |
| May | 70.3 F | 50.2 F | 3.72 in | 0 |
| June | 79.7 F | 60.2 F | 3.26 in | 0 |
| July | 83.7 F | 64.4 F | 3.51 in | 0 |
| August | 81.4 F | 63.2 F | 3.26 in | 0 |
| September | 74.4 F | 55.5 F | 3.22 in | 0 |
| October | 62.0 F | 44.0 F | 2.53 in | 0 |
| November | 48.6 F | 33.9 F | 2.57 in | 1.9 in |
| December | 37.2 F | 25.3 F | 2.25 in | 8.9 in |
Over a normal year Detroit gets 45.0 inches of snow and 34.32 inches of total precipitation. It averages about 120 nights with a low at or below freezing and about 42 days when the high never gets above freezing. Summers are warm rather than hot, with about 13 days a year reaching 90 F or more. May is the wettest month at 3.72 inches, and every month from April through August gets more than 3 inches.
Getting ready for winter
- Budget for heat. January’s average high is just above freezing.
- Keep a snow shovel and ice melt before the first storm; December, January and February bring most of the snow.
- Know where your water shut-off is. DWSD can temporarily turn off service for repairs or a long trip if the account holder requests it at 313-267-8000.
- Watch your water usage in DWSD’s self-service portal. A leak can add hundreds of dollars to a bill.
Why basements flood
DWSD is blunt that basements are inherently prone to flooding if not protected. It gives three reasons: they are below ground, where water seeps; foundation and drain tiles that are not maintained let water in; and the sewer lateral, the line carrying sewage from the house, can fail or back up into the home. Detroit’s sewers are a combined system, so rain and snowmelt from roofs and driveways flow into the same pipes as sewage.
The storms that changed the city’s approach
The June 25 to 26, 2021 rain event hit the Victoria Park and Aviation Sub neighborhoods hardest. DWSD then launched a free Basement Backup Protection Program for homeowners and landlords of occupied houses and duplexes in 11 neighborhoods with a history of backups. Phase 1 installed 382 backwater valves; phase 2 started in February 2024. Applications are closed for now and will reopen only if new funding arrives. Detroit’s down payment assistance program also gives priority to buyers affected by the August 2023 flooding.
What DWSD recommends you do
- Disconnect downspouts from the sewer system so roof water runs onto the lawn instead.
- Install a backwater valve where needed, to stop sewage from flowing back into the house.
- Install a sump pump where needed, to remove water that collects below the floor.
- Never pour fats, oils or grease down drains and never flush wipes; both cause blockages and backups.
- Read the handbook. DWSD publishes a City of Detroit Basement Backup and Flood Protection Handbook and will mail a copy on request.
Tip: Before you rent or buy, ask directly whether the basement has ever taken on water, and look for a backwater valve and a sump pump. A finished basement in a house without them is a risk to your belongings.
If your basement backs up
Call DWSD at (313) 267-8000 to report the backup and get a Service Request number. You need that number to file a damage claim, and DWSD says claims must be filed within 45 days of discovering the backup. Take photos before you clean up, and keep receipts for cleanup and damaged items. DWSD has used the same claims process for larger events, such as the 54-inch water main break on Beard and Rowan streets on February 17, 2025.
Renters and basements
If you rent, find out before you move in whether the basement is part of your unit and how storage there is handled, and ask the landlord what happened in past storms. A home without a current Certificate of Compliance is a warning sign; see Before You Rent in Detroit: How to Check a Home’s Certificate of Compliance.
For water bills and the drainage charge, which is linked to how much rain your property sends into the sewers, see Water Service in Detroit: Starting an Account, the Drainage Charge and the Lifeline Plan.