ESCANABA - If the lack of snow, absence of winter clothing, and excessive sunshine are not enough of an indicator, the Upper Peninsula is currently enjoying an abnormally warm winter. This past weekend serves as a prime example.
According to Steve Fleegel of the National Weather Service in Negaunee, temperatures across the U.P. were higher than normal this weekend, with the highest being in Manistique.
"We have been seeing temperatures above average in both the high and low temperatures," said Fleegel. "This weekend it looks like the highest temperature was in Manistique - they were at 64 degrees. Newberry was at 59."
Fleegel pointed out the warmer temperatures for cities along the Lake Michigan shoreline, like Manistique, are unusual, especially for this time of year.
"Usually the winds are northeastern and push in the cooler temperatures from Lake Michigan," explained Fleegel. "Sunday, these areas had southwest winds, which kept warmer air circulating."
In Escanaba, temperatures on Sunday hovered around 59 degrees, with the low coming in at 43.
According to Fleegel, so far this March, temperatures have been about 15 to 20 degrees above normal. This is true even in comparison to last year, which was also slightly above normal.
"Last year, our temperatures were a little bit above normal at around 30 to 40 degrees," said Fleegel. "The big difference from last year to this year is the amount of snow on the ground. Last year, we had anywhere from five to 20 inches of snow around the area - that is quite the difference from this year."
According to Fleegel, the U.P. can attribute the warmer temperatures to the jet stream, and should continue to expect them as long as the position of the stream remains the same.
"On a larger scale, these temperatures are being caused by the jet stream pattern," explained Fleegel. "For most of March, the jet stream has been north of the area, which allows the warmer temperatures to rise up from the south."
Unless a shift in the jet stream occurs, Fleegel notes the warmer than usual temperatures will continue.
