Sub-zero weather hits Gogebic Range

IRONWOOD — The first blast of sub-zero weather arrived on the Gogebic Range overnight, as Ironwood experienced a Thursday-Friday low reading of minus-8 degrees.

That was well off the record of 22-below set in 1936, however, according to statistics kept by the National Weather Service at its Marquette office.

The high for the 24-hour period to 7 a.m. Friday was 17 degrees.

The 3.5 inches of snow that fell for the 24-hour period brought the winter’s total to 48.9 inches, although the calendar says winter doesn’t officially arrive until Dec. 21.

The average total over the past 117 years through Dec. 8 is 41.6 inches.

The forecast calls for much milder weather for the next week, with sunshine leading the way to greet Christmas shoppers today and a high of 26, with a low of 13.

For the next week, highs might climb to the lower 30s and while there’s some snow in the forecast, there’s no prediction of more sub-zero temperatures for the next 10 days.

—Ralph Ansami