Officials: Alpena area should see temperatures in 50s this week

ALPENA -- Residents will receive a long-awaited reprieve from the cold later this week as temperatures should reach 50 degrees or warmer, according to weather officials.

After cooler temperatures on Monday and Tuesday, the mercury will climb again which should put a dent in any remaining snow left on the ground.

The last time the temperature climbed to 50 degrees was on Dec. 16 when mild weather engulfed the area and it reached 60 degrees in Alpena. That established a new warm temperature record for that date.

After a brief cool off over the weekend, temperatures will again rise to the mid to upper 40s early next week.

National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Locker said the warm weather will provide people a chance to begin to do yard work or simply ditch the winter coat for a spell. He said areas along the Lake Huron shoreline could be a couple degrees cooler than what is predicted, but the air will still seem pleasant compared to what the last month has offered weather-wise.

"Wednesday and Thursday are going to be great, but then temperatures will fall for a few days before getting back up to near 50 in the Alpena area next week," Locker said. "As far as snow goes, we are watching a possible snow system for late Thursday and Friday. This time of year we could get snow overnight, and then it turns to rain during the daytime hours."

Although Northeast Michigan has received less snow than average this winter, spring weather is beginning to become more frequent, Locker said. He added that people need to remember spring weather is volatile and more cold and snow is likely, periodically, for about another six weeks. That means people shouldn't be in a rush to put away their snowblowers, shovels, and winter clothes just yet.

"The last few years, we have received snow in late April and early May, at least in Gaylord," he said. "This time of year we get cold air that comes through once in a while that reminds us we are not in charge. As the weeks pass, it becomes less frequent though and the cold air stays further to the north."

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.