Gaylord, Mich. – A taste of autumn is arriving early across northern Michigan, as a stretch of cooler weather is set to settle in across the Great Lakes beginning Sunday and lasting well into next week. Highs are expected to dip into the upper 50s to mid-70s, well below seasonal norms for late August.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, average highs for this time of year typically range from 74 to 79 degrees, but forecast highs will struggle to reach 70 in many areas, with some northern communities holding in the 60s. The cooler air mass will be paired with periodic rain showers beginning late this weekend and continuing into early next week.
The sharp drop in temperatures will be most noticeable along the Lake Michigan shoreline, including Traverse City and Petoskey, where lake breezes may keep conditions even cooler during the day. Inland areas like Grayling and Gaylord will see chilly mornings in the upper 50s, with some overnight lows dipping into the 40s.
Residents are advised to keep jackets handy for evening outdoor events and to prepare for damp conditions on roadways during passing showers. The weather service notes this cooler stretch is expected to linger into late next week, signaling an early hint of fall across the region.
