The spate of mild meteorological autumn days has had some beneficial effects here since Sept. 1, among them a significant reduction in the need for home heating. The “warmth” has reduced furnace usage to just 78% of normal and to only 77% the level by this date one year ago. A second 60° day will keep the trend going Thursday until winds turn off the lake and increase Thursday night and Friday, a development which promises a return to cool, damp conditions. Milder readings return Saturday but an overall temp downturn begins Saturday night.
The run-up to Thanksgiving next week may feature a blustery storm late Tuesday likely to draw much colder air into our area with the first season’s possible snowflakes by mid-next week.
It’s also warm to the north in Minneapolis. There, this autumn ranks 10th warmest of all on record since 1891.
-Tom Skilling
