Michigan Vegetation, Climate, and Symbols

Michigan is home to many different types of plants, or vegetation. Vegetation is an important natural characteristic of our state.

We can find many different kinds of vegetation growing in Michigan forests. As geographers, we can use special maps to learn more about our forests.

Michigan has its own "fruit belt" along the West coast of the state. Our state is home to amazing fruits from our Southern border all the way to the Northern tip of the lower peninsula.

The word climate might be new to you, but you have been studying climate since kindergarten as you learned about weather and seasons. How many seasons does Michigan have?

Lake effect storms are large snowstorms that result from the effect that the Great Lakes have on the local weather. As large masses of cold air, usually from Canada, move south, they pass over the huge open waters of the Great Lakes. Compared to the Arctic air above, the waters of the Great Lakes are relatively warm. As warm air rises, clouds form in narrow bands that can produce two to three inches of snow per hour.

Lake effect snowstorms can be difficult to predict, because they can be affected by many factors. The local geography and the temperature of the surrounding land and water play a role. It's not uncommon for heavy lake effect snow to fall over one area while the Sun shines just a mile or two away.