GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Before the rain and snow picks up again over the weekend, Grand Rapids is only 0.02" from breaking the record set back in 2008.
The previous record in 2008 was 48.80 inches of precipitation. As of December 11th, Grand Rapids has seen 48.79 inches of precipitation in 2019.
Since 2008, five years, including 2019, have made it into the top ten of wettest years on record. No surprise that water levels on Lake Michigan are almost at record levels, leading to the constant lakeshore flooding and erosion.
Grand Rapids has never seen 50 inches of precipitation in one year. With a few more weeks left in the year, that is certainly in the cards as the weather pattern looks to stay active into the new decade.
Through this Sunday, Grand Rapids will likely see close to a tenth of an inch of precipitation. While not an overly wet period, it will be enough to get us to the record.
After the record was set back in 2008, the two subsequent years showed a drying trend. Here's to hoping that West Michigan sees a few drier years after this record-setting one.
