Michigan Marks Winter Hazards Awareness Week
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed November 8 through November 14 as Winter Hazards Awareness Week across the state.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Forecasts
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed November 8 through November 14 as Winter Hazards Awareness Week in Michigan. The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division urged residents to prepare for severe winter weather ahead of the season.
Why it matters
Michigan winters are unpredictable and severe weather creates dangerous conditions for residents across the state. The advisory aims to help households and drivers reduce risk before conditions worsen.
The state advisory cites a single snowfall event of up to four feet within the past year as evidence of hazard severity. Current winter outlook figures were not provided in the source.
The players
Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer is the Governor of Michigan, serving as the state's chief executive and issuing the proclamation designating the awareness week.
Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division coordinates state emergency preparedness and issued the winter safety advisory.
The details
State emergency officials recommend weather-stripping, caulking and insulation around walls, doors and windows, insulating water lines along exterior walls, and installing battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors near all sleeping areas. Homeowners are advised to clean gutters to prevent ice dams, and drivers should replace worn tires and check tire pressure regularly.
Timeline
November 8, 2026: Winter Hazards Awareness Week begins.
November 14, 2026: Winter Hazards Awareness Week ends.
Seasonal Patterns
The proclamation follows Michigan's practice of issuing annual preparedness weeks ahead of winter, when the state's heavy snowfall history makes early readiness a recurring priority. Its timing in early November positions the advisory before the season's typical peak of cold-weather incidents.
Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors near all sleeping areas and schedule professional inspections for furnaces and chimneys before cold weather arrives. Pack an emergency kit in your vehicle with jumper cables, a scraper, shovel and blankets.
The takeaway
Preparing your home and vehicle during the first week of November can reduce the risk of winter emergencies before the coldest weather sets in. Small steps like checking tires, clearing gutters and testing carbon monoxide detectors make a measurable difference.
What happens next
Winter Hazards Awareness Week concludes on November 14, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Michigan forecasts to track what the coming winter may bring.
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Have you taken steps to winterize your home or car this year?
