Karl Bohnak, Journal contributor

The holiday season is upon us. With it comes travel, that can be hampered by ice and snow. Bitter cold can also make venturing out an uncomfortable task. There are rare exceptions to the usual snow, cold and ice here in Upper Michigan. One of the most remarkable occurred in 1994.

Fall 1994 was quite mild. The first measurable snow at the National Weather Service (NWS) near Negaunee held off until November 19. December began with thin snow cover that actually began melting mid-month as an extended warm spell began. Over the two-week period from December 15-28, each day came in over 10 degrees above average. The mean temperature during this stretch was a remarkable 16.6 degrees above normal. Christmas Eve day was the warmest with a record high of 52 degrees. Instead of skiing, some Upper Michigan residents broke out the golf clubs to celebrate Christmas.

This Christmas will be white, but not very cold. An upper-air trough of low pressure will dig in over the western U.S. That’s where the coldest air will filter in from the Polar regions. In fact, as low pressure works to our north today, temperatures are likely to rise above freezing over most of the U.P. Readings will likely stay mild on Christmas Day, too, before a little colder air works in on Sunday. The best chance of widespread snowfall will probably hold off until about Monday of next week. Overall, the next five days look to be relatively mild, in keeping with the rest of December 2021.

Karl’s 5-day forecast

Sat 34/24, cloudy

Sun 27/14, snow

Mon 33/22. snow

Tue 27/20, snow

Wed 28/28, snow