While the leaves may be saying autumn, temperatures made the past weekend feel much like summer.
Brainerd topped out at 79 Saturday and reached 80 degrees Sunday. Bikers, joggers and walkers were out in numbers on area trails in tank tops and shorts. But a strong cold front is expected to bring an end to what may have been summer's last gasp. The front arriving Sunday night had the National Weather Service anticipating dropping temperatures and the arrival of strong winds.
In anticipation of wind gusts, the National Weather Service in Duluth issued a small craft advisory for Lake Superior. The wind could strip away much of the autumn color. If fall seems short, summer wasn't much better.
The Brainerd lakes area had one day - in July - with the temperature at 90 degrees or above. On average, the lakes area has seven days with temperatures at 90 or higher. Not surprisingly most are in July. In 2006, there were 11 days of 90 degrees or more in July alone.
Last year's summer also had one July day at 90 or above, but managed to eek out eight more days between May and September to at least reach 90 degrees.
ADVERTISEMENT
In Brainerd, temperatures climbed to 80 or above on 38 days from May through this past Sunday. The average number of 80 degree or warmer days is 57. Last year, Brainerd hit highs greater than or equal to 80 on 48 days. In 2012, the temperature climbed to 80 or higher on 70 days. By comparison, during the hot summer of 2006, highs reached 80 or higher on 83 days.
Dropping the bar, Brainerd posted highs of 75 or above on 83 days, even cooler than last year when the temperature was 75 or warmer on 93 days.
As the calendar marches on toward October the chances of bulking up this year's numbers grow dimmer.
The forecast for this week calls for highs in the mid-50s to upper 60s and a chance of showers every day. Next weekend is expected to bring sunshine but highs will likely be 20-degrees cooler than this past weekend, with highs at least near 60 degrees.
The National Weather Service reports a chance for thunderstorms continues Tuesday night and Wednesday, but the threat for severe weather is low.
