RSS FeedsNear record cold October in Northern Michigan
Nearly historic cold took quick hold of Northern Michigan weather during October, with cool to cold conditions continuing nearly unabated through the mid-month period. By mid-month, many locations were experiencing one of their coldest Octobers since 1950. Most, if not all, of the first 18 days of the month were below normal, with several days coming in more than 10 degrees below normal. Although by no means unusual, it was also during this period that the first snow of the young snow season was observed, with light amounts of snow reported at several locations October 10th through the 15th. Why such a cold start to the month? Well, much like most of this past summer, Northern Michigan remained dominated by northwest flow aloft, allowing air masses to continually drop southeast out of rapidly cooling Canada.
A quick pattern change after mid-month allowed temperatures to moderate considerably from the 18th on, with many days of the last 2 weeks of the month coming in above normal. This helped partially offset the extremely cold beginning, resulting in average temperatures for the month coming in just a few degrees below normal for most locations – a significant departure from the mid to upper single digits below normal experienced by the mid-month period. Still, by month’s end, most locations had experienced one of their colder October’s (see specific monthly rankings in table below).
Precipitation across the area was well above normal, with substantial periods of rain reported throughout the month. While no severe thunderstorm activity was reported, periods of steady rain and heavy showers (some early season lake induced showers also helped the cause) accounted for the wetter than normal conditions. Much like temperatures, most locations experienced one of their wetter October’s, with 4 inches or more of precipitation observed across Northern Michigan.
The following tables display temperature, precipitation, and snowfall trends, as well as historical rankings and departures from normal. Please note, current month rankings in the historical record are only noted if a top 30 ranking was achieved.
|
Location |
Average Temperature (°F) |
Departure From Normal (°F) |
Rank (period of record) |
Record (year) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sault Ste. Marie |
42.9 |
-1.5 |
Tied 24th Coldest (1886-2009) |
37.4 (1925) |
|
Houghton Lake |
43.6 |
-2.5 |
10th Coldest (1917-2009) |
38.0 (1925) |
|
Alpena |
44.3 |
-1.3 |
Tied 15th Coldest (1917-2009) |
37.9 (1925) |
|
Traverse City |
45.5 |
-3.3 |
Tied 11th Coldest (1896-2009) |
42.3 (1925) |
|
Gaylord |
42.0 |
-4.6 |
2nd Coldest (1952-2009) |
36.4 (1925) |
|
Location |
Precipitation (inches) |
Departure From Normal (inches) |
Rank (period of record) |
Record (year) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sault Ste. Marie |
6.49 |
+3.17 |
3rd Wettest (1886-2009) |
6.84 (2001) |
|
Houghton Lake |
4.11 |
+1.85 |
13th Wettest (1917-2009) |
8.38 (1951) |
|
Alpena |
4.91 |
+2.58 |
4th Wettest (1917-2009) |
6.53 (1991) |
|
Traverse City |
4.92 |
+1.98 |
N/A |
7.13 (1991) |
|
Gaylord |
5.48 |
+2.03 |
5th Wettest (1952-2009) |
7.74 (1969) |
|
Location |
Snowfall (inches) |
Departure From Normal (inches) |
Rank (period of record) |
Record (year) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sault Ste. Marie |
0.6 |
-1.9 |
N/A |
19.7 (1895) |
|
Houghton Lake |
Trace |
-0.6 |
N/A |
9.5 (1962) |
|
Alpena |
Trace |
-0.4 |
N/A |
8.5 (1933) |
|
Traverse City |
0.0 |
-0.4 |
N/A |
3.5 (1976) |
|
Gaylord |
0.4 |
-2.4 |
N/A |
18.1 (1925) |
Please see the following link for detailed monthly temperature and precipitation graphs for the 5 locations listed above.
For additional climate information including up to date additional local climate graphics, seasonal outlooks, and El Nino/La Nina information, please visit the following websites:
Gaylord National Weather Service Climate Page
El Nino and La Nina information
For more information, please contact the Gaylord National Weather Service at (989) 731-3384...extension 726 or 766.
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