WEST MICHIGAN — This could very well be our hottest day of the year so far in Grand Rapids with a forecast high of 95°. (Our hottest day of the year so far occurred on June 18th when the mercury climbed to 93°.) Plenty of sunshine is expected today, which will help boost those temperatures. Future Track HD is going with mostly sunny skies, and a high of 93°, although I think we’ll actually get a touch hotter than that:
Fortunately, a weak cold front has passed to our south. This front bought in lower dew points overnight. As opposed to being in the upper 60s to lower 70s for dew points like we were yesterday, those numbers have now dropped into the lower to middle 60s:
So the main headline today will be, “Hot, but less humid.” Still, it’s a good idea to exercise caution outdoors today by drinking plenty of water and wearing that sunblock. And it’s probably best to avoid strenuous exercise during the afternoon hours.
Looking ahead into tonight, that same weak cold front that passed last night will lift back northward as a warm front. This will bring back those higher dew points, along with a chance for showers and thunderstorms. It looks like the evening will be dry, but after 2am we’ll have to be on the lookout for those showers and storms. Future Track HD suggests showers and storms moving through around sunrise:
Storms will again be possible during the afternoon on Sunday, with the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) putting most of the state in a Marginal Risk for severe weather:
The main threat with any storms that approach severe limits will be wind gusts of 60 mph. Large hail and tornadoes look highly unlikely.
As we move through the upcoming workweek, expect an overall cooling trend with a stretch of dry weather. Storms will again be possible, however, on Thursday and Friday.
