News Photo by Steve Schulwitz John Tolin uses his metal detector to scan the sand of treasures at Mich-e-ke-wis Park in Alpena on Friday. It was cold and windy outdoors, which forecasters say will be the case for much of this month.

ALPENA — The weather in early November resembled early summer more than it did winter, as temperatures in the 60s and 70s were common.

By the end of the month, cold weather rolled in and brought with it the most significant snowfall in Alpena so far this winter.

November started out with temperatures well above normal, as the mercury eclipsed 70 degrees on four of the first 10 days of the month. There were also several days in the upper 60s sprinkled in during that time span.

On Nov. 10, a high temperature record was broken in Alpena when the thermometer at the Alpena County Regional Airport climbed to 78 degrees. That eclipsed the prior record of 74 degrees set in 2020.

Two days after the record was broken, cold weather spilled into the region and temperatures dropped into the mid-30s. That set the stage for the area’s first snowstorm on Nov. 15, when 6.6 inches of snow fell, which was also a new record.

For the month, the average high temperature was 48.2 degrees, which was well above the long-term average of 44.6 degrees. The overall average temperature was 39.3 which was warmer than the 36.6 long-term average. The coldest day last month was 13 degrees on November 20.

There may not be snow on the ground in Northeast Michigan currently, after a brief warm spell late last week, but the area is off to a strong start for those who enjoy the snow.

The total snow in Alpena County in November was 12.5 inches — which nearly doubled the 6.6 inches average snowfall average for that month.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Sean Christensen said the cold weather is expected to hang around Northeast Michigan, and things are shaping up so that a white Christmas in the area is likely. He said there is a chance of snow next week, but no snowstorms are on the horizon.

“The long-term models we use show the below average temperatures Alpena has seen over the last few days will remain,” he said. “That means any snow we get should stay on the ground and I sure wouldn’t rule out a white Christmas. We will get some snow later next week, it won’t be heavy, but nothing to bat an eye at either.”

This week, the National Weather Service Prediction Center released its updated forecast for this month. It says temperatures will be below average for all of Michigan, and it will be wetter than normal.