Detroit (KDTW) Temperature Market Guide
KDTW • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
IBKR Robinhood
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (KDTW) offers a ForecastEx temperature market influenced by the Great Lakes. Located in southeastern Michigan between Lake Erie and Lake Huron, Detroit experiences significant lake modification of its continental climate. Understanding Great Lakes dynamics is essential for trading this market successfully.
Quick Facts
| Station Code | KDTW |
|---|---|
| Location | Detroit, MI |
| Coordinates | 42.2124°N, 83.3534°W |
| Elevation | 645 ft (197 m) |
| Timezone | ET (America/New_York) |
| NWS Office | Detroit (DTX) |
| Resolution Source | NWS CLI Report ↗ |
About the KDTW Weather Station
The KDTW ASOS is located at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Romulus, approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. At 645 feet elevation, the station sits on relatively flat terrain in the Great Lakes lowlands.
The airport's position between Lake Erie (to the south) and Lake Huron (to the north) means it can be influenced by lake effects from multiple directions. However, it's far enough inland that these effects are often more subtle than at lakefront locations.
The airport's position between Lake Erie (to the south) and Lake Huron (to the north) means it can be influenced by lake effects from multiple directions. However, it's far enough inland that these effects are often more subtle than at lakefront locations.
Detroit Climate & Temperature Patterns
Detroit experiences a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfa) with cold winters, warm summers, and significant Great Lakes influence. The lakes moderate temperature extremes and contribute to cloud cover, especially in fall and winter.
Key Climate Factors:
Great Lakes Influence: Lake Erie and Lake Huron moderate temperatures and increase cloudiness. The lakes keep Detroit cooler in spring (when lakes are cold) and warmer in fall (when lakes retain heat).
Lake Effect Clouds: During fall and winter, relatively warm lake waters create persistent cloud cover that can suppress daytime heating and moderate overnight cooling.
Continental Extremes: Despite lake moderation, Detroit still experiences cold arctic outbreaks and summer heat waves characteristic of the continental interior.
Key Climate Factors:
Great Lakes Influence: Lake Erie and Lake Huron moderate temperatures and increase cloudiness. The lakes keep Detroit cooler in spring (when lakes are cold) and warmer in fall (when lakes retain heat).
Lake Effect Clouds: During fall and winter, relatively warm lake waters create persistent cloud cover that can suppress daytime heating and moderate overnight cooling.
Continental Extremes: Despite lake moderation, Detroit still experiences cold arctic outbreaks and summer heat waves characteristic of the continental interior.
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Open Live DashboardSeasonal Trading Considerations
Winter (December - February):
Cold with average highs in the low-to-mid 30s°F. Lake effect clouds are common, creating gray, overcast conditions. Arctic outbreaks can send temperatures well below zero. Snow is frequent.
Spring (March - May):
Slow warming as the cold Great Lakes suppress temperatures. Lake breezes can develop on warm days, keeping the metro area cooler than inland areas. Late-season cold snaps remain possible.
Summer (June - August):
Warm and humid with average highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F. Heat waves can push temperatures into the 90s. Thunderstorms are common.
Fall (September - November):
Pleasant early fall with Indian summer warmth possible. Lake effect cloudiness increases through November as the temperature differential between water and air grows.
Cold with average highs in the low-to-mid 30s°F. Lake effect clouds are common, creating gray, overcast conditions. Arctic outbreaks can send temperatures well below zero. Snow is frequent.
Spring (March - May):
Slow warming as the cold Great Lakes suppress temperatures. Lake breezes can develop on warm days, keeping the metro area cooler than inland areas. Late-season cold snaps remain possible.
Summer (June - August):
Warm and humid with average highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F. Heat waves can push temperatures into the 90s. Thunderstorms are common.
Fall (September - November):
Pleasant early fall with Indian summer warmth possible. Lake effect cloudiness increases through November as the temperature differential between water and air grows.
Detroit-Specific Trading Tips
Spring Lake Suppression: Cold Great Lakes water keeps Detroit temperatures suppressed in spring. Don't expect rapid warming until lakes begin to warm.
Lake Effect Clouds: During fall and winter, check for lake effect cloud cover. Gray, overcast conditions limit daytime warming significantly.
Wind Direction Matters: Onshore flow from the lakes can moderate temperatures. Offshore flow allows more extreme temperatures.
Summer Heat Waves: When high pressure dominates and flow is from the south or west, heat waves can push well into the 90s.
Lake Effect Clouds: During fall and winter, check for lake effect cloud cover. Gray, overcast conditions limit daytime warming significantly.
Wind Direction Matters: Onshore flow from the lakes can moderate temperatures. Offshore flow allows more extreme temperatures.
Summer Heat Waves: When high pressure dominates and flow is from the south or west, heat waves can push well into the 90s.
Market Resolution Details
Detroit temperature markets resolve based on the official high temperature in the NWS CLI for station KDTW, issued by the Detroit forecast office (DTX).
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Data Release Schedule
Typical release times for key data products at KDTW. Times shown in UTC.
| Data Type | Typical Time (UTC) | Variability |
|---|---|---|
| CLI Report Daily climatological summary |
06:49 UTC | ±8 min |
| 24hr High METAR with max temp |
04:53 UTC | ±1 min |
| METAR Hourly observations |
Hourly at :53 | ±1 min |
| DSM #1 Daily summary message |
21:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #2 Daily summary message |
13:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #3 Daily summary message |
20:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #4 Daily summary message |
20:19 UTC | Issuance time |
6-Hour High/Low Reports
These METARs include 6-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, useful for tracking intraday temperature trends.
05:53 UTC
11:53 UTC
17:53 UTC
23:53 UTC
Note: Times are approximate and may vary. CLI reports are the official resolution source for temperature markets. See NWS Data Guide for more information.
Data Resources
Quick links to official data sources and tools for Detroit.
📊 NWS Data
🗄️ Iowa Environmental Mesonet
📈 Wethr.net Tools
Forecasting Challenges
Lake Effect Cloudiness: Predicting the extent and persistence of lake effect clouds is difficult. This cloud cover dramatically affects daytime temperatures.
Spring Lag: Models may not fully account for the cold lake influence in spring, leading to overforecast temperatures.
Convective Timing: Summer thunderstorm coverage affects daily highs but is challenging to predict precisely.
Spring Lag: Models may not fully account for the cold lake influence in spring, leading to overforecast temperatures.
Convective Timing: Summer thunderstorm coverage affects daily highs but is challenging to predict precisely.
Historical Temperature Records
Record High: 105°F recorded in July 1934.
Record Low: -21°F recorded in January 1984.
90°F+ Days: Detroit averages about 12-15 days per year at or above 90°F.
Gray Days: Detroit ranks among the cloudiest cities in the U.S., particularly from November through February due to Great Lakes influence.
Record Low: -21°F recorded in January 1984.
90°F+ Days: Detroit averages about 12-15 days per year at or above 90°F.
Gray Days: Detroit ranks among the cloudiest cities in the U.S., particularly from November through February due to Great Lakes influence.
📡 Official Data Sources
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