WEST MICHIGAN — So far, September 2016 has been running about four degrees above average across the FOX 17 viewing area. That’s a significant departure from average when we’re talking about a longer time period, such as three-quarters of a month. The weather, however, looks a good deal cooler over the next seven days. And although it will be quite a change, temperatures will actually be closer to where they should be for this time of year.
This weekend, temperatures will be slightly above average with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. (Our long-term average high is 70° and our average low is 49° in Grand Rapids at this time of year.) We then expect cooler temperatures for most of next week.
Right now, we’re under the influence of an area of high pressure which is centered to the north of Lake Superior:
A significant amount of cloud cover is trapped underneath this high, and we’re experiencing an easterly flow on it’s south side. Here is the way Future Track HD sees things at noon today:
Skies look partly to mostly cloudy, but no rainfall is expected.
This will change, however, on Sunday night and Monday. The cold front that’s now in the Plains states will move across the Great Lakes during this time frame, giving us a good chance of showers and thunderstorms:
An upper level low pressure system will remain nearly stationary just to our east from Monday afternoon through Thursday. This will keep it cool and mostly cloudy with occasional showers. At this point, it looks like that low will pull far enough away from us for some sunshine on Friday.
