NORTHERN MICHIGAN -- A viewer from Comins in Oscoda County wrote me today asking this question... here is the answer.

From: Tom Coburn
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 8:04 AM
To: jcharlevoix@tv7-4.com
Subject: Weather question???

Why do morning temps drop at sunrise?  Thanks Tom Coburn Comins Mich.

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Hi Tom,

Thanks for writing and your question.

You bring up a good question and I believe I have an answer for you.

Cold air is denser than warmer air and tends to sink during the overnight. Just before sunrise, the coldest air will typically be found right near the surface on the ground. However, when you stand it might be a few degrees warmer than the surface since we stand anywhere from 5-7 feet off the ground. Once the sun rises and the sunrays hit the ground, it starts to warm. That warmer air lifts the colder air off the ground and it “feels” colder for a brief period of time after the sun rises as that cold air is lifted off the ground. Soon after, the entire ground/air warms from the morning temperatures. Usually, this happens only when there is a very light wind and not much in the way of clouds.

We appreciate you writing and choosing TV 7&4 for your local news/weather/sports.

Warm Regards,

                        -Joe Charlevoix

                         7&4 Storm Team Meteorologist