ALPENA — Northeast Michigan experienced very dry conditions throughout the month of August. The National Weather Service Gaylord called “the exceptionally dry conditions” the biggest takeaway of the month, as areas of Northeast Michigan saw between one to three fewer inches of rain than normal.

Alpena saw a total of 2.08 inches of rain in August, which is 1.15 inches of rain less than normal, according to data from the National Weather Service in Gaylord. During the month, 1.32 inches of rain fell on Aug. 5, which was the most rain that accumulated in a 24-hour period.

The National Weather Service Gaylord also reported there were very few extreme temperatures during the month, as most areas never reached 90 degrees, and resulted with average monthly readings falling well within the realm of normal. Overall, there were 22 fair weather days in Alpena during the month of August and 9 days where the weather was partly cloudy.

Alpena saw its temperature peak at 87 degrees on Aug. 5, but the average maximum temperature for the month was 78.7 degrees, which was 1.7 degrees above the normal average of 77 degrees. The average lowest temperature for the month was 51.9 degrees, which was 1.8 degrees below the normal average temperature of 53.7 degrees. The lowest temperature for the month was recorded at 41 degrees on Aug. 31.

The National Weather Service Gaylord said there was a lack of any significant severe weather in August.

However, there is a chance of severe weather today and into the evening as a cold front brings the chance of widespread showers and storms. The National Weather Service Gaylord has the Alpena area listed as a “marginal risk” for severe weather, which means isolated severe weather is possible.

Most of the severe weather is forecast for Northern Lower Michigan, according to the NWS.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.