WEST MICHIGAN — While we’ve experienced dry conditions and temperatures well above normal the past several days, we will see increased chances for rain to develop late Wednesday and through Thursday. Last week we talked about a blocking weather pattern (called the Omega Block) that is/was responsible for keeping us warm and dry. Read that post here. This week that pattern breaks down and allows a low pressure system to skirt across the state producing a few showers. The image attached to this story is from our forecast model and is valid for 6 PM Wednesday.
Our normal/average high for this time of year is 59 degrees, so we were well above normal Saturday with a high of 79 and Sunday we hit 78 degrees (Grand Rapids). A few locations did make 80. Expect a weak, moisture-starved cold front to slide through the state Monday evening/night and turn our winds to the north. This will filter in cooler air for Tuesday and Wednesday, but temperatures will still remain above normal.
The last week of weather has been incredible. Three to four feet of snow west of Denver in the mountains, flash flooding and severe storms in Texas, while at the same time temperatures 20 to 25 degrees above normal in West Michigan. The tectonically active area in the Pacific Ocean we call the Pacific Ring of Fire has also produced major earthquakes in both Japan and Ecuador. There have literally been hundreds of aftershocks in these areas. Many are confirmed dead and some areas of been absolutely devastated. Get more on the earthquakes here. Get the complete forecast here.
