News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Scarlette MacArthur is seen painting on Monday under a tree in Rotary Island Mill Park in Alpena. MacArthur said they were painting the patio area near the bridge that leads to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

ALPENA — June was one to two degrees warmer than what is expected this time of year, breaking highs and lows, according to the National Weather Service.

The highest recorded temperature of June for Alpena was 97 degrees on June 22 and June 23. The average of recorded high temperatures for June was 77.6 degrees. The long-term average is 75.9 degrees, which is a 1.7 degree increase.

The lowest recorded temperature was 34 degrees on June 2. The average of recorded low temperatures was 52.2 degrees. The long-term average is 50.4 degrees, which is a 1.8 degree increase.

For the month of June, the average temperature was 64.9 degrees, while the long-term average temperature is 63.2. This is a 1.7 degree increase.

On June 23, Alpena broke the previous warmest recorded low temperature of June at 77 degrees, surpassing the record and reaching 79 degrees as the recorded low at 11:59 p.m. The previous record of 77 degrees was set on three past dates including Sept. 8, 1919; June 30, 1927; and Aug. 25, 1948. Also on June 23, Alpena broke the previous highest recorded high temperature at 94 degrees in 1923, reaching 97 degrees at 3:48 p.m.

Matt Gillen, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said that Alpena received levels of precipitation that are expected for June.

“The precipitation that fell in June is pretty close to what we normally expect for the month … at least, that’s what the long-term averages suggest,” Gillen said. “The heat and humidity build this time of year and we get those daytime showers and thunderstorms that occur … it almost seems like a couple times a week.”

For June, the most precipitation Alpena received was on June 19, equaling 0.79 inches. The total precipitation accumulation for Alpena was 2.75 inches while the long-term average is 2.74 inches, a difference of only 0.01 percent.

Overall, June was warmer than past years though the Alpena area did not lack precipitation. Currently, Alpena County is not considered to be a drought zone.

Looking ahead to the holiday weekend, Gillen said Northeast Michigan residents should expect warm and humid weather, with low chances of rain.

“Friday, the holiday, in the 80s. Fairly muggy … low shower and thunderstorm chances for The Fourth,” Gillen said. “For Saturday … probably downright hot by Northern Michigan standards … up into the low- to mid-90s and humid … some shower and storm chances enter into the picture late in the day (of The Fourth) and Saturday night.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.