Karl Bohnak

Autumn colors are just beginning to show across Upper Michigan. So far, September has been on the warm side–running about two degrees above average at the National Weather Service (NWS). But there have been some chilly nights. Of course, they’ll eventually get colder and colder as fall progresses.

It was at this time 178 years ago that one of the most important U.P. events took place–the discovery of iron ore.

On September 19, 1844, State Surveyor William Austin Burt and his men stumbled upon iron ore specimens not far south of Teal Lake at present-day Negaunee. The day was bright and sunny. However, Burt noted in his journal that the next day was cloudy with an all-day rain.

Then, the day after on September 21, 1844 he wrote, “snow fell in the forepart of the day 3-6 inches deep.”

A snow of this magnitude in September has only occurred one time since. On September 21-22, 1974, the city of Marquette received 5.1 inches of snow. This was likely a lake-enhanced event with a northwest wind because “up the hill” at the NWS site, only 1.4 inches fell. As mentioned last week, it’s been 28 years since the last measurable September snowfall.

The coming five days will feel more like late summer. High temperatures should hit the mid-70s to near 80–some 10 degrees above the long-term average. As for rain, look for scattered, hit or miss showers over the weekend into early next week.