WEST MICHIGAN — The heat and humidity will only intensify as we head into the holiday weekend as a ridge of high pressure remains in control of our weather.
Some of our model guidance tries to squeak in a little rain on the 4th, but that chance looks very low. In fact, the European model only drops a few hundredths of an inch (at most) of moisture on the area all the way into Monday of next week.
The heat and humidity will slowly build this weekend. In fact, temperatures look a couple of degrees warmer starting tomorrow in West Michigan. If you're traveling to other parts of the state or the Great Lakes Region, expect hot, rain-free weather just about everywhere.
Temperatures look pretty similar on Friday, a day that a lot of people have off to observe the Independence Day holiday. If you're traveling that day, it also looks rain-free in most (or all) areas of the central and western Great Lakes.
There could be a shower or thunderstorm if you're traveling into parts of Minnesota on Saturday, but the rain-free weather will continue elsewhere. And the heat will continue to build, with 90s surging into parts of the U.P.
High temperatures locally will reach the lower to middle 90s through Sunday. Although this is hot, it probably won't turn out to be a record-breaking type of heat. Here's a look at forecast vs. record highs for Friday, Saturday the 4th, and Sunday in the Grand Rapids area:
Showers and thunderstorms will be possible by the middle of next week. Be sure to stay tuned to FOX 17 for updates on this chance for needed rainfall!
