In Grand Rapids history there has only been one year (so far) where April was warmer then May. That year was 1915. March of 1915 was a cold month here at Grand Rapids with a mean of just 31.4 (-4.2) the warmest day that cold March was just 51 and the coldest was 12 and there was 9.3” of snow fall. Compared to this to March of 2019 with a mean of 32.2 (-3.4) and the warmest reading of 61 and the coldest of 8. Then came April 1915 That April opened with 4 days in a row of below average temperatures but on April 5th the temperature reached 60 This was after a low of 28. That 28 was the last time it got below 32 that April. Starting on April 18th the high reached 73 then 76 on the 19th cooled back to 64 on the 20th then back up to 74 on the 21st up to 84 on the 22nd 86 on the 23rd and 24th then all the way up 88 on the 25th then 82 on the 26th and 78 on the 28th the month ended on a cool note of 49 on the 30th April 1915 is still the warmest April on record here for Grand Rapids. However, after that April with a mean temperature of 53.8 came May and in 1915 May had a mean of just 53.3° so it ended up cooler then April. The summer of 1915 was a cool one and that 88 on April 23 was tied on June 6th but was not surpassed until the temperature reached 90 on July 30th 1915 The months of May, June, July and August all ended up below average that year. September was warmer then average. Of course there have been other “backward” months is years past such as the record warm March 2012 that had a mean of 50.7 then that April came in at 48.3. May 1977 with a mean of 65.7 vs June’s 64.5 .
As we head later into the spring season here is some information as to the last 32° days
Over the years the average last 32° day at Grand Rapid airport is May 1st but has ranged from April 6th in 1925 all the way to June 4th in 1945. In the last 10 years the average has been April 30 and has ranged from April 13th in 2016 to May 16th in 2014. In Muskegon the average last 32° day is May 4th and has ranged from April 9th 1987 to June 22nd 1992. At Lansing the average last 32 day is May 10th with the range being between April 8th 1886 to June 15th 1863 in more recent times it has ranged April 12th 1952 to June 11th 1972. But remember there can be frost with temperatures as warm as 38 and the above reading are at the airports. So here is some more information on the average last 38° days where the frost could hurt tender plants. The average last 38° low at Grand Rapids is May 21st the earliest is April 22nd 1896. At Muskegon the average last 38° day is the same as GR at May 21st the earliest is April 19th 1895 and the latest is June 22nd 1992. At Lansing the average is May 29th the earliest is April 30th 2018 the latest is July 21 1974. I hope this gives you some idea of the start of the growing seasons here in west Michigan.
Slim
Oh my!!! Would you look at that, only two days with highs in the mid to upper 40’s now!! So devistating for Rocky!! INCREDIBLE!!
https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USMI0344:1:US
I see WOOD and the NWS raised temps this morning! After today, the month of April should be above average.
Still ‘tweaking’ the site – still moving around the furniture – if you are confused just look around and you will find what you need here – lots of stuff to read which is bringing us in line with the Michigan Ready Campaign.
Thanks once again Slim – I am wondering if perhaps we may see a tad cooler than normal temps this summer. As far as storms go our series of years of a relatively quiet pattern is due to end at some point. I miss those evenings of rumbles of thunder and a few flashes of lightning. And then again when was the last time we had a storm where it seems Thor is at war with the forces of nature? Foggy here with a temp of 38* – looking forward to getting the house opened up today to air out….
Enjoy the warm weekend because by the end of next week temps in the 30’s and low to mid frites = well below normal! In the meantime golf here I come baby! Incredible!
Not seeing any highs in the 30’s here??? Keep wishcasting those cold temps! They seem to keep climbing! By the time next weekend comes around the temps will probably be in the 50’s like they normally are this time of year! Who knew?!??
https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USMI0344:1:US
Who said anything about the highs?
The lows are normally in the 30’s in April. So your post means nothing.
Well, back to enjoying temps in the mid-70’s again today here!! Get out and enjoy the beautiful, spectacular, outstanding, incredible WARM weather that EVERYONE enjoys at home too this weekend!!!
No wonder Rocky is so silent this morning! Another prediction bust for the RDB! Per the NWS discussion:
The system mid next week has trended further northwest and warmer,
taking the snow swath out of our area. The new model trend has us
firmly entrenched in the warm sector now.
Well, Rocky’s model and prediction of 8+ inches of snow for the GR area for the end of next week was short lived!
https://www.instantweathermaps.com/GFS-php/conussfc.php?run=2019040606&time=PER&var=ASNOWI&hour=240