WEST MICHIGAN - A powerful, moisture-laden weather system will track into the Great Lakes today and Friday, delivering soaking rains and wind. Let's take a look at the track, rain totals, wind speeds, and timing.
Rain is likely through most of the day as a low pressure system tracks into the region. There may be a few thunderstorms, but nothing severe is expected. Take a look at the track at 6 A.M. this morning. Our morning commute will likely be wet from Grand Rapids southward.
Our next image below is valid for 6 P.M. today. Wind will start increasing through the day as well.
The next image below is valid for 6 A.M. Friday. Note the low pressure system is beginning to get east of West Michigan. That means behind this system, rain wraps around and winds further increase.
The final model image below is valid for 6 P.M. Friday. While the low pressure area may be pulling away into Canada and rain will wrap up by midday, clouds and strong winds remain.
Lets look at precipitation amounts. This system will take abundant moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. It's expected to produce a widespread 1" or more across most of the area...so a good soaking rain! While the track of this low is further east from previous model runs, that will take the axis of heaviest rain and core of the strongest winds just outside of our FOX 17 viewing area. See our images below from the European forecast model and in-house GRAF model.
Winds are expected to be breezy today, and downright windy on Friday. Take a look at the timeline from our forecast model on wind speed, wind gusts, and direction. The first image is valid for 6 A.M. Thursday. Winds will start ramping up as this system approaches and will be from the east.
The next image, valid for 6 P.M. Thursday, shows wind speeds at 10 to 20 mph sustained with higher gusts. They will be from the northwest.
Our next image below (valid at 6 AM Friday) shows the low tracking to our east and wind speeds increasing even more. Winds are expected to be sustained at 20 to 30 mph, gusting to 45/50, and from the northwest.
See the next image below. "G" numbers represent the gusts in blue. Gusts will reach 45 mph. The direction will be from the west-northwest.
You can see winds remain strong right through Friday late afternoon. Still sustained at 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35/40 mph. Direction will be from the west-northwest.
Winds will gradually diminish Friday evening/night as this system pulls away into Canada. Clouds will decrease as well, and mostly sunny skies are in store for Saturday. Click here for more weather. Our FOX 17 team of Meteorologists will track this system from start to finish.
