As the days get shorter in the fall, the percent of possible sunshine decreases as clouds tend to linger. The percent of possible sunshine hits a nadir as the shortest days of the year approach. Over the next month, we’ll be lucky to see a couple of hours of sunshine per day.

Of course, the average temperature steadily declines, with a “normal” high of 44 and low of 30 on the 1st, sliding to only 31 and 19 on the 30th. There can still be some balmy days early in the month. For example, Houghton, Marquette, Iron Mountain and the National Weather Service all had record November highs in the mid-to-upper 70s on the 6th three years ago.

By the same token, freezing winter cold can be felt, even early in the month. Both Iron Mountain and Houghton fell to zero or below as early as November 3, 1951. The 7 below zero recorded at Houghton on November 3, 1951 is its coldest November temperature on record. Marquette hit a November record 9 below on the 29th in 1875, while Iron Mountain (-10) and the Weather Service (-13) both hit November record lows on the same day in 1976.

As the temperature falls, snowfall becomes more and more likely. November average snowfall ranges from 5.5 inches in Iron Mountain to about 11 inches in Marquette to around 2 feet in Houghton and at the National Weather Service site.

Winter has truly arrived when a continuous snow cover is established. At the National Weather Service, the average date of a continuous covering of an inch or more is November 24.

The earliest date is October 30, 1993, the latest is wait for it…January 18, 1995! There was a green Christmas in 1994 and only light dustings until later January in 1995.

Snow is not expected–though a little rain could fall in some areas Sunday with a better chance on Monday into Tuesday. The precipitation could end as a little snow. Temperatures will be close to average.