News photo by Josh Jambor The playground is covered in snow at Ella White Elementary School on Sunday morning. December saw average snowfall, slightly cooler temperatures, and a bomb cyclone.

ALPENA – In December, Alpena experienced a bomb cyclone, average snowfall, and temperatures slightly below average.

National Weather Service (NWS) Meteorologist Joe Delizio said December’s temperatures, and where they rank, are normal for Alpena.

“Our average temperature for the month of December was around 23 degrees. That’s about three degrees below what is typical,” Delzio said. “Our warmest day was on Dec. 18 with a high of 45 degrees. The coldest temperature was 1 degree on the morning of Dec. 8.

There was no shortage of snowfall in the month of December, however, the precipitation level, rain, snow, and sleet combined, was below average.

Alpena received 17 inches of snow last month, which was only a touch higher than the 16.9 inch long-term average.

“Overall observed snow fall was average for the month of December in Alpena,” Delzio explained. “Meanwhile the actual precipitation was a little bit below normal.”

Our snowiest day was on Dec. 29 with 6.1 inches. That was part of the storm system that produced a bomb cyclone and brought with it strong winds.

Delzio explained what caused the weather event.

“We call that a rapidly developing low pressure system, it’s caused by a clash between cold, dense air from the north and warm moist air from the south.,” he said.

Temperatures will moderate next week. Alpena should be hovering around freezing or a little bit above. There is a chance for some sloppy weather on Tuesday.

“There might be a wintry mix of rain and snow on Tuesday. We are monitoring that,” Delzio said.

Delzio also believes we should keep an eye on the possibility for the same wintry mix next weekend.

“For the work week there is not too much going on, the next shot of some cold, and maybe a storm system to look out for, will be later in the week,” he said.

According to the NWS forecast for Alpena this week, our high for the week will come on Thursday, with a projected high of 38 degrees.