GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 8, 2014) — To say that people in West Michigan have been waiting a long time for warm weather would be a huge understatement. The first week of May has been a microcosm of the winter and spring as a whole — despite average highs in the mid 60s this time of year, highs have only gradually climbed from the upper 40s into the low 60s as of Wednesday.
Thursday, that will finally change.
A warm front will lift through the region, with partly sunny skies and a southerly wind through the afternoon. That will push most inland areas into the low 80s. The exception will be along the lakeshore and north of Grand Rapids, where temperatures will likely stay in the 70s; some spots near the lake north of Grand Haven may get stuck in the 60s with a wind off the cold water of Lake Michigan.
The last time Grand Rapids hit 80° was on October 3, 2013 — more than seven months ago. While these conditions seem unusual, they really aren’t that far away from average. The mean date to hit 80° for the first time in Grand Rapids is April 30th; the last date that the area hits 80° is, on average, September 30th.
One of the longest stretches between 80° days occurred in 1923-24, when we went nearly eight and a half months without hitting that mark from September 27, 1923 to June 12, 1924. And in 1918-19, there were nearly nine months without an 80° day, from August 28, 1918 to May 26, 1919.
Temperatures will stay near or above average through the weekend, but drop off again next week. Check out the 7 Day Forecast on the Weather page.
PHOTO: Wednesday’s sunset – Ed Roblyer, Allegan
