First/Last
We are now one week into the month of October and as there will be a number of seasonal first and lasts. I thought it would be a good time to look at some average dates along with the earliest and latest dates for some for some events.
First off, the first of the cold nights. On average the 1st night that has a low of 32 or lower at Grand Rapids is October 13th the earliest was on September 3rd, 1946, the latest was on November 13th, 1918. The average 1st hard freeze of 28 or lower at Grand Rapids is October 28th the earliest was September 23rd, 1974, and the latest was November 29th, 1948. The average first supper hard freeze of 25 or less is November 7th with the earliest being October 3rd, 1974, and the latest being not until December 20th, 2001.
As for high temperatures the average last day with a high of 80 or better is September 30th the earliest is August 28th 1918 (note that year also had the latest 1st 32 low) The latest high of 80 or better was November 1st 1950. The average last high of 75 or better is October 13th with the earliest September 15th 1981 and the latest, November 9th 2020 The average last high of 70 is October 20th with the earliest October 1st 1945 and the latest November 23rd 1925. The record high during the winter months are 69 for December and February and 66 for January. I guess one can say we have a chance of seeing maybe a couple more days in the 70’s but it would be wise to enjoy them if we do as the winter months have yet to have a day of 70 or better at Grand Rapids.
As for snow fall the earliest snow fall of a trace that has good temperature profiles would be in September 29 1967, September 26, 1965, September 27, 1942 I can not say for sure it snowed on those dates but the temperature profile looks like it could have and a trace of snow fall was reported. There were several other years that a trace of snow fall were reported. But I feel it was too warm for snow to fall. As for measurable snow fall the earliest date was October 7, 2000 when 0.1” of snow fall was reported at Grand Rapids as for 1” or more the earliest date is October 12, 2006 when 2.0” fell. As for the earliest snow fall of 3” or more was on October 19, 1989 when 4.5” fell and another 1.3” fell on the 20th I remember both dates.
We will have to see how this fall into the start of winter plays out.
Slim
Grand Rapids had its freeze last night. First time since April 28th according to the NWS.
Clearly the delusions of a warm Fall are just that – delusions and fantasies! We are entrenched in a cool weather pattern and no changes are in sight! Bring on winter!
With an official high of 50 yesterday was the coolest high since April 27th the low yesterday was 36. There was no rain fall and a reported 15% of possible sunshine. There has only been officially a trace of rain fall so far this month. As expected, the winds shifted to out of the west and that brought in some clouds and warmer temperatures off the lake. Thus the overnight low here in MBY stopped at 32 and it looks like it did get down to at least 31 at GRR. At the current time it is cloudy and 39… Read more »
34 over at the airport. 31 here. Yep, it’s starting to feel like autumn.