I know it will not be too much longer before someone points out that some trees are “already changing color” Well this year due to how dry it had been some trees may start to change color earlier than average and that will happen due to some stress that has happened this year. But that said and with the first day of the new school year starting in the next week I thought it would be a good time to see when the 1. First 32° day is along with the latest and the earliest dates. For this I will start in the UP and work my way down south.
Marquette the average first 32 date October 10th earliest September 8th latest November 8th 1947.
Houghton Average first 32 date October 2nd earliest September 6th 1952 latest November 6th 1900.
Munising Average first 32 date September 24th earliest August 2nd 1928 latest November 2nd 2010.
Alberta Average first 32 date September 5th earliest August 4th 1972 latest October 3rd 2016.
Sault Ste Marie average first 32 date October 1st earliest August 22nd 1950 latest October 28th 1963.
Northern Lower Michigan
Alpena average first 32 date September 22nd earliest August 21st 1922 latest October 28th 1963
Pelston average first 32 date September 11th earliest August 2nd 1959 latest October 11th 2014.
Traverse City average first 32 date October 7th earliest August 29th 1982 latest November 1st 1971
Houghton Lake Average first 32 date September 12th earliest August 1st 1947 latest October 25th 1995.
West Branch Average first 32 date September 22nd earliest August 21st 1934 latest October 29th 1963.
South east Michigan
Saginaw average first 32 date is October 12th earliest September 12th 1943 latest November 9th 1938.
Flint Average first 32 date is October 9th earliest September 17th 2013 latest November 6th 1971.
Detroit average first 32 date is October 22nd earliest September 22nd 1974 latest November 25th 1946.
Bad axe Average first 32 date is October 10th earliest September 8th 1956 latest November 7th 1971.
Port Huron average first 32 date is October 21 earliest September 12th 1956 latest November 22nd 1994.
SW Michigan
Grand Rapids average first 32 date is October 13th earliest September 3rd 1946 latest November 14th 1918’
Lansing average first 32 date is October 1st earliest August 3rd 1984 latest October 28th 1920.
Muskegon average first 32 date is October 14th earliest September 8th 1951 latest November 25th 1971.
Kalamazoo average first 32 date is October 12th earliest September 19th 1956 latest November 11th 1994.
It is a rather good bet that most of Michigan will see a 32° low in the next 2 months or so.
We have been in a very long run of above average temperatures for the past 3 years.
From September 2015 until August 2018 there have been 25 months of above average temperatures here at Grand Rapids. (one month July of 2017 came in at average) Of course the next question is when will this break? Remember the longer this continues the warmer the “new” averages will become in 2021.
On finial note for this week,
I know for the people who have to work in non-air conditioned buildings and for anyone who has to do hard outside work (and anyone who lives in house without air) that this has been a long hot summer for them. But talking to several people at the past few Whitecaps games most agree that this has been a great summer. And for those of us that work outside we are now getting used to the warm temperatures and it does not feel that bad anymore. I know the cost of air is high but just remember just how would we live around here without heat in the winter time??? All I have to say now is get out and enjoy the last of summer before it is gone. Even above average winters around here are cold.
Slim
I dunno what the current dew point is but, seems awe full muggy still today. I thought today the humidity was suppose to have be lower.
Upper 60s to near 70 – like most of this hot and humid summer.
Several trees in our neighborhood are already changing. Those are the people that don’t water their lawns.
Barry asked a good question as to how much the AC should have been ran so far this summer. I do not know how old you are so I do not know how far back to check so I used the year 1970 so going back to 1970 and using the Heating Degree Days (65 is the base) here are some of the years by month that the AC could have been on. Note I did NOT have central AC until 1994. the top years going back to 1970 For the month of May the top years are 1 1991 2. 1977 3. 1987 and in 4th place 2018. For June 1. 2005. 2. 1971 3. 1987, 4. 1991, 5. 2012, 6. 2007. For June 2018 would be in 15th place. For July 1. 2012, 2. 2011 3. 2010, 4. 1983, 5. 2002, 6. 1988, 7. 1999, 8. 2006, 9. 1987, 10. 2018. We will not know August total for this year yet for a couple more weeks here are the current top 5. 1. 1995, 2. 2010, 3. 1988, 4. 2007 and 5. 2016. for the whole year going back to 1970 the top years are 2012,2007,2010, 2016, 2005, and 2011. I hope this answers your question as to how much AC may have been used this year.
slim
Nice Slim! Funny you picked 1970 as that is the year I was born! I am surprised to see May that high on the list. I guess it did get hot early and often.
And I know 1984 was our first year with ac because I remember just laying in front of the big window unit listening to the tigers play, and actually winning for that matter.
35-5 to start that season. I’m so glad I was able to experience and enjoy that magical season.
“Bless you boys!”
My yard missed out on almost all of the rain that had been in the forecast for the past 3 days. My total for the 3 days was just a trace that fell yesterday. I will have to see if my area gets any rain today and again on Monday into Tuesday. Also still waiting for this summers first good thunderstorm. As thunder and lightning has been almost a non event here this year I think there has been just 3 times this whole warm season so far.
Slim
We may see some storms early next week with a strong cold front – looking at long range models we may see our best storms in October for this year…
Great post Slim – we already have leaves falling due to stress also lots of walnuts on the ground. As far as rainfall we had .02 yesterday in Otsego.
I have only used my AC a few days the entire summer!
Really?? Isn’t hot by you? I have seen some of my highest electric bills this summer but I’d rather be comfortable.
Trolling, Trolling, Trolling….. Hey my furnace came on for only a few days last winter!!
What do you mean- I am not a troll.
Lol Sandy, I was replying to Rocky!
All good! I thought the same it just thru me. LOL!!
Rocky seeks attention, and he gets it. lol
Not sure what you are talking about. I have not had my ac more than 4 or 5 times all year and I never had it run at all the year before, we do have pool and that helps a lot!
You must love oppressive heat and humidity.
It really has not been that bad. I think people have become way too dependent on AC! It is a big waste of energy and people are spoiled!
Technology, which is a good thing, has spoiled us.
Ok, I did a quick “unofficial”survey here at work today. Out of 10 people, 10 stated they have had their ac on longer then any year they remember other than 2012, and all 10 have had the highest electric bills they’ve ever had. Maybe we could do a survey here too, just for curiosity’s sake. I will start…..ac has been on for months, highest electric bills I’ve ever seen.
Count me in. I have had the same here.
I did some research. While July is a top month May is high on the list June is much lower on the list and August we will not be know for a while.
Slim
It has not helped with the hot and humid nights we keep having either. This week has been a great example. Every day I go to work at 5 a.m., the temp is still in the 70s with the dew point near 70. You can’t leave your windows open at night or everything will be soaking wet, and then the ac has to work twice as hard to clear out the humidity.
have only had 2 or 3 days since May when I haven’t had the air conditioning on. Very hot and humid summer. Much more intense than the past several years. Very few pleasant days.
Great post Slim. I always enjoy reading your posts. You are right about some trees turning early they are by me. Some leaves are falling off but that is from the stress on the trees. Enjoy the day!!
Our wild cherry trees have been losing their leaves for like a week. Although they always seem to be first.