Weather

Actions

Persistent, heavy rain could cause localized flooding

The heaviest rain will fall Tuesday night - Wednesday
Posted at 10:47 AM, Apr 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-28 10:47:20-04

WEST MICHIGAN — A slow-moving, but strong low-pressure system will keep April showers in West Michigan through the end of the month.

The heavy rain and associated thunderstorms will begin Tuesday evening and will not end until Thursday night. The low will move only a few hundred miles as it slowly rotates around West Michigan. A typical system is in and out of West Michigan in less than one day.

The low will bring ample moisture north from the Gulf of Mexico. It's persistence around the state of Michigan will lead to 1" to 3" of rain falling by Thursday night. The majority of the rain will fall Tuesday night through Wednesday. A few locations could also pick up over 3" of rain where the heaviest bands set up overnight Tuesday.

That amount of rain could lead to minor flooding. The areas where we typically see spring flooding will be most at risk. This will not be a major flood, but water will likely rise a bit. The will also be ponding on the roads Wednesday and Thursday. Once the system is finally out of the way, Friday looks pleasant with some sunshine and lower 60s and Saturday looks even nicer as we get to 70°!