Karl Bohnak

July 2023 was a moderate to cool month. There were no 90-degree high temperatures at the National Weather Service (NWS) and only five days with highs of 80 or above. On the other hand, seven days had highs only in the 60s. The month ended 1.4 degrees below average.

This summer started quickly with a string of six consecutive days of 80-degrees or above to close the month of May, culminating in high of 91 on the 31st. June started with a high of 91 with another 90 on the 22nd. So, there’s been three 90-degree days this summer, which is the long-term yearly average at the NWS. Will we have more 90-degree highs before the summer slips away?

There’s still a chance, but recent history would argue against it. There have been no 90-degree high temperatures the last five Augusts. However, August 2021 ended four degrees above average with highs of 80 or above on 16 days.

The last genuine August heat wave occurred over 20 years ago. Highs hit the 90s at the NWS on three consecutive days (August 5-7) in 2001. Iron Mountain also had three straight record highs in the 90s during that hot spell.

The greatest August heat wave occurred 76 years ago. Marquette, Iron Mountain and Ironwood all topped 100 degrees the first week of August 1947. Houghton missed the century mark but had two record-smashing highs of 98 on August 5-6.

No hot weather is foreseen over the next five days. The weekend will start with temperatures near to a bit above average and stay close to average into next week. As for rain, a significant trough will swing through the Great Lakes late in the weekend and, depending on the track, could produce a widespread rain.