SPRINGTIME IN NOVEMBER: AREA CAUGHT IN GRIP OF UNUSUAL WEATHER

As Debbie Dees served up sandwiches to two customers inside the Bel Air Grill Wednesday afternoon, the last of the lunch crowd finished their meals and reluctantly wandered away from the sunshine-drenched deck in front of the building.

With customers kicked back in sunglasses and light clothing, one could hardly guess it was Nov. 1.

"We are totally weather dependent," Dees said. "Today was busy. We had a better day today because of the weather than we probably would have if it was cold."

The temperature in Cape Girardeau reached 81 degrees by mid-afternoon Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky., beating last year's Nov. 1 high, a balmy 79 degrees, show Southeast Missourian records.

According to the records of local climatologist Al Robertson, the record high for Nov. 1 in Cape Girardeau is 82 degrees, set in 1971.

Although the National Weather Service predicts high temperatures by Monday will fall back into the 60s, that is still pleasant for early November.

Mike York, a meteorologist with the weather service, said temperatures in the 60s this time of year are about normal.

"It looks like a cold front is coming through that will cool us back off to what temperatures normally are this time of year but nothing really below normal," York said.

"We're going for highs Friday in the upper 60s. That's 15 degrees cooler than now, but it's still about normal."

That's good news for Dees, who is a co-owner of the Bel Air Grill, 24 S. Spanish St. She said she will leave her restaurant's deck open for customers until winter weather sets in.

"Probably by mid-December we'll be closed up," Dees said, adding that customers still will be able to dine inside. "It changes. A lot depends on the weather."

Even though the weather was warm and sunny Wednesday, several customers were buying winter clothing at Carol's Closet, 19 N. Main St.

Millie Kight, a saleswoman at the resale shop, said Wednesday was the first busy day for winter clothing sales in awhile.

"We sold it today because the weather is supposed to change," Kight said.

A WARM DAY

Wednesday's high of 81 degrees in Cape Girardeau was no record, but was wrmer than most years.

Year High Low

2000 81 not available

1999 79 52

1998 71 54

1997 67 57

1996 49 33

1995 67 58

1994 62 37

1993 48 23

1992 70 61

1991 65 36

1990 77 41