September 26: Early Snow
A cold high pressure area represented by the red color was building into the U.P. on September 26, 1965. Ahead of it, snow fell, then came record cold.
On September 26, 1965, the earliest measureable snow on record occurred at Iron Mountain. 1.5 inches fell during a record early-season cold spell from the Plains to the Northeast. Even at the heart of the “Banana Belt” in Escanaba there was measureable snow. Arctic high pressure built into the U.P., bringing a freeze to most locations. While Marquette only received a trace of snow out of the event, the low temperature dipped to 32 on the 26th and 30 the next morning. The Houghton County airport dropped to record lows of 27 and 26 respectively on the mornings of September 26-27, 1965.
While we here in the Upper Midwest can receive our first taste of the coming cold season, in the far southwestern U.S., some of the hottest weather of the season can occur. For instance, on September 26, 1963, San Diego’s all-time high temperature was recorded. It hit 111 degrees. On the same day, Los Angeles wilted under a near-record 109. The extreme heat was a direct result of the Santa Ana winds. These winds blow from the east off big, cool, dry high pressure systems that develop over the Great Basin as that area of the country begins to cool. As the wind blow down the mountains, the air dries and heats up. The worst wildfires to hit coastal California occur during the dreaded Santa Anas.
There have already been freezing temperatures across a good share of the interior Upper Peninsula this September. Tonight, some areas that have been spared frost so far may receive it tonight as high pressure builds directly overhead and bringing perfect conditions for a cold night in the form of clear skies, light winds and dry air. This will be the coldest night for most spots during this extended cool spell we’ve been in. Through today, there have been 10 consecutive days with below average temperatures. That’s the longest colder-than-average streak in two years. The mean temperature for the month stands at around 2.5 degrees below average. It appears that a below normal month is a lock. That means it will be the first below average month in a year.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC