Alpena area saw warm, dry weather in September
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ALPENA -- Warm and dry are the two words that best describe the weather in the Alpena area in September.
The first two thirds of the month were well above average temperature-wise, but a late cold spell dragged the average temperature down.
According to the National Weather Service, Alpena's average temperature last month was 60.7 degrees which was a tad bit higher than the 59 degree long-term average.
The average high temperature for Alpena in September was 72.3 degrees, which eclipsed the long-term average of 71 degrees. The average low temperature for the month was 49.1 which was higher than the 47 degree long-term average.
The month began hot with temperatures often in the 80s with the high temperature recorded on Sept. 2 when the mercury climbed to 88 degrees at the Alpena County Regional Airport. The warm weather continued until Sept. 21 when cold air moved in and temperatures dropped from 82 degrees to 59 degrees the next day.
The area never recorded another temperature in the 70s the rest of the month and hasn't done so yet in October.
Alpena was more than an inch below the average rainfall for September as the area received only 1.41 inches of rain; less than the 2.84 long-term average. The area received a brunt of that rain on Sept. 27 when Alpena received 0.60 of an inch of precipitation.
The weather at the beginning of October picked up where it left off in September, but there could be a significant change today as forecasts show Alpena could enjoy a shot of warmth with temperatures topping out in the mid 70s.
A drastic cooldown is forecasted after that for the weekend, especially on Friday when temperatures are not expected to reach 50 degrees.
Temperatures will warm back up in the 60s next week and hold for some time, meteorologist Harold Dippman said.
"We'll have a cold snap but looking beyond that, things will return to more mild temperatures that are maybe average or a little above average," Dippman said.
Residents of Northeast Michigan still have a chance to go for a drive or walk through a local forest to see the fall colors. Dippman said the area is not at its peak yet, but people will only have a few more weeks to enjoy the colors before the leaves begin falling.
"Alpena will be a little on the later side because it has the moderating effect of Lake Huron," he said. "They are near tier peak in Gaylord and Alpena is likely just a little behind us."