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  • Beachgoers withstand Tuesday's extremely hot temperatures at the beach at Clinch Park. Record-Eagle/Keith King

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September 1, 2010

Region has had 31 days with temps at 85+

'Hottest summer I can remember'

BY SHERI McWHIRTER smcwhirter@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — The waning days of summer brought waves of sweltering heat into northern Michigan, but the arrival of September will usher in some welcome relief in the region.

"It's probably been the hottest summer I can remember here," said Paul Eschenburg, of Traverse City, trying to beat the heat on Tuesday fishing along the wall at Clinch Park Marina in downtown Traverse City.

"I've enjoyed the heat, but I'm ready for it to be over," he said. "I'm ready for the 50s and 60s."

Eschenburg won't have to wait long for the cooler conditions he craves. Tuesday likely was the last searing summer day of the year, said John Boris, meteorologist at the National Weather Service station in Gaylord. Several stretches of hot, humid conditions washed over the region in late July and August.

"We've had seven days this summer where we've gotten above 90 degrees. Typically we've seen about 10 of those days, and last year we saw two," Boris said.

But northern Michigan had 31 days with temperatures above 85 degrees this summer, when typically there are about 27 such days and there were just 10 last summer. That means while no records were set this summer, temperatures have been above normal, Boris said.

"It's been consistently warm," Boris said.

That's about to change.

A cold front moving across the region will drop today's temperatures into the upper 70s with a 60-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. The cooler, rainy conditions will extend into Thursday and Friday, with temperatures expected to reach just the mid-60s by week's end, Boris said.

Labor Day weekend will be cool, with temperatures in the mid- to upper 60s, though Monday may warm up to the mid-70s, he said.

The cooldown will be temporary, though 90-plus degree weather is likely gone for the season.

"I don't think we're done with the 80s, though," Boris said.

That's fine with Fred Dittrich, of Traverse City, who spent Tuesday paddling a kayak in West Grand Traverse Bay, determined to take advantage of a balmy, late-summer day.

"I've been wanting to try one of these sit-on-top kayaks and thought today would be a good day with the heat," he said.

Dittrich said he's been pleased with the warm summer, especially when compared to last year's cool and rainy conditions.

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