The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 45/36. That 45 was the 2nd coldest maximum for any May 2nd at Grand Rapids. That high was reached during a brief period of sunshine most of the day was in the very low 40’s There was 0.22” of rain fall and a trace of snow fall. That trace of snow fall was only the 5th time there has been snow fall on May 1st since 1893. It was a cold day across Michigan it was also the 2nd coldest maximum at Muskegon with a high of 42 and the Holland with a high of 41 and the 3rd with a high of 43. At Lansing where it has been warmer than in the past since the updated 30 year averages have came out the high was 48 and was the 6th coldest maximum there. Records at Lansing go back to 1863. For today the average H/L is 64/44 the record high of 86 was set in 1959 and the record low of 22 was set in 1903 the record snow fall amount of 3.0” was set in 1929 so yes it can still snow in May.
Today should be the last day of much below average temperatures for a while as it should warm up from today highs in the low 40’s to near 70 or better by the weekend. There is also a chance of rain and snow mixed today once again and if the highs are indeed in the low 40’s this will be one of the coldest maximus for any May 2nd
DISCUSSION
(TODAY THROUGH NEXT MONDAY)
ISSUED AT 250 AM EDT TUE MAY 2 2023
– IMPROVING CONDITIONS LATE TODAY –
MAINLY RAIN CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE AREA, BUT SOME ARES OF SNOW
CONTINUES TO OCCUR PERIODICALLY FOR HIGHER ELEVATION AREAS NORTH OF
BIG RAPIDS INCLUDING REED CITY, EVART, LE ROY, AND DIGHTON. RECENT
CAMS CONTINUE TO SUGGEST THE BULK OF THE WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION
WILL BEGIN TO BECOME MORE LIMITED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.
SO WHILE WE’LL LIKELY SEE MORE PERIODIC LIGHT RAIN THROUGH MUCH
OF TODAY, THE RAIN TODAY WILL BE MORE LAKE EFFECT IN NATURE AND
OVERALL COVERAGE WON’T BE TO THE EXTENT AS WHAT WE SAW YESTERDAY.
THE MAIN SURFACE LOW WILL FINALLY MOVE EAST INTO NEW ENGLAND LATE
TONIGHT INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY, SO PRECIPITATION WILL GRADUALLY COME
TO AN END LATE TONIGHT. HIGH PRESSURE TAKES CONTROL OVER THE REGION
AND TEMPS WILL BEGIN TO REBOUND WEDNESDAY ONWARD FOLLOWING TODAY’S
CONTINUED COLD.
– QUIET WITH WARMING TREND INTO NEXT WEEK –
AS A NICE CHANGE OF PACE FROM THE LAST FEW DAYS, THE FORECAST TURNS
PRETTY QUIET AFTER TONIGHT. ON WEDNESDAY THE AFOREMENTIONED HIGH
PRESSURE MOVES IN PLACE OVER THE REGION FOLLOWING THE PERSISTENT LOW
FROM THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS. THE FORECAST TRANSITIONS INTO GRADUALLY
WARMING TEMPS WITH GENERALLY NO PRECIPITATION THROUGH THIS COMING
WEEKEND. LONGER RANGE ENSEMBLE FORECASTS AGREE WITH A DRY FORECAST
THROUGH SUNDAY, THEN OUR NEXT CHANCE FOR PRECIPITATION LOOKS TO
ARRIVE MONDAY. TEMPERATURES WEDNESDAY WILL REBOUND INTO THE 50S,
LOW 60S FOR THURSDAY, UPPER 60S FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, AND
HITTING 70 OR WARMER FOR SUNDAY.
Detailed Forecast for Grand Rapids
Today
A chance of rain and snow before 10am, then rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 42. West northwest wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tonight
A 40 percent chance of rain before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. North northwest wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. North northwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Yet another double digit below normal temp day! I have only needed to mow my lawn once so far this season! That’s what happens when it so cold the grass barely grows! Incredible!
Record May snowfall in MI! What an incredible cold, snowy start for May and this following a cool Spring and record breaking winter snowfall! An amazing stretch of snowy, cold weather! Rock n roll will never die!
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/may-snowstorm-record-books-blankets-parts-wisconsin-michigan-rcna82226
Just another double digit below normal temp day! Get ready the next 2 nights! lows in the mid 30’s! Incredible May cold! Wow, just wow, WOW!!!