Looking through this months records on my station we haven’t had any significant rain since the first of March when we picked up just over an inch of rain. Last month in comparison we had 5.22 inches on the 19th through the 21st. This brings us to 8.22 Inches for the year. Most of the snow we have had is from Lake effect which the was dry powdery type with little water content. I installed my official CoCoRaHS rain gauge yesterday. It will be interesting to see how that compares to the digital gauge on my weather station. My CoCoRaHS number is MI-AN-27 in south eastern Allegan County. As you can see in the map below there is a big void in the southwest and central portion of the county. Here is the daily precipitation map for the state.
The rain gauge can be purchased at Weather For You for $31.50.
| When installing the rain gauge it is important to consider its location. The gauge should be placed in an area that is protected from strong winds but is not bothered by obstacles that could either block precipitation from reaching the gauge or cause precipitation to splash towards it. For example, an ideal location would be a small open meadow surrounded by forest, or an open back yard not too close to buildings or trees.
The gauge should be installed 2-5 feet above the ground mounted on the side of a single post. The top of the rain gauge should extend several inches above the top of the mounting post. The mounting post should have a rounded, pointed, or slanted top to avoid upward splash towards the rain gauge. |
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The rain gauge should be installed at a reasonable distance away from obstacles such as buildings and trees. For example, if a tree is 40ft. tall (taller than a two story house) the gauge should be placed at least 80ft. downwind from it. This will help avoid potential blockage of the rain gauge. It is not always possible to find a perfect location. When in doubt, do your best.
The storm system with passed to our south is gone and we should see the skies clear today.
High pressure will result in plenty of sunshine today, although it will continue to feel cool with highs in the lower 40s and a brisk east wind. The high will move off to the east tonight and Monday will bring a southerly flow of air to the region. Monday will be dry, but rain will be spreading into the Southwest corner of the state around sunset. Rain showers are expected from Monday evening through Tuesday evening. Many areas will see a soaking rain during this time frame. Highs on Monday will push to near 50 degrees. Tuesday readings will rise into the 50s.
The NAM is showing close to an inch of rain for southwest Michigan (featured image), so all the bulbs trying to grow out in the flower beds should enjoy the rain.
A beautiful Sunday in March. Blue sky & green grass & no snow. Spring flowers are popping up everywhere. The wind was a bit chilly but after all it is only March. HAPPY SPRING. 🙂
I could not believe how cold the wind was this weekend it felt like January outside .. so ready for real Spring . INDYDOG14!
The Soo Locks are open. If that’s not a telltale sign of spring, I don’t know what is.
The GR National Weather Service is sounding very bullish on our SNOW chances by the end of next week! I hope we get pounded! Bring it on!
” The EC and GEM show the potential for
a low tracking through the Appalachians or Ohio Valley that may be
close enough to bring snow to Lower Michigan on Friday night or
early Saturday.
Once that storm is past…a clipper forming along an arctic cold
front could bring more snow Saturday night into Sunday”.
Hmmmm….could have sworn a week ago or so they were saying the same thing about this current weekend?? Nothing but blue skies and green grass all weekend!
The latest 10 day SNOW map is looking better for GR!
http://www.instantweathermaps.com/GFS-php/conussfc.php?run=2018032518&time=PER&var=ASNOWI&hour=384
Hmmmm….those snow maps keep showing never ending snow in mountain high piles over Grand Rapids, but yet, there’s green grass everywhere in Kent County and we have been in a snow drought for weeks and currently sit at below average snowfall for the season. Maybe it’s time, for the toddler that colors those maps, to look for a new job!
So much for the 50’s this weekend try 30’s .. INDYDOG14!!
Get ready for SNOW next weekend!
I’m still ready for the snow you’ve been telling us to get ready for the past 2 weeks! Still waiting but I just see green grass out my window and temps in the 40’s & 50’s! Looks like more of the same over the next couple weeks, so I guess I’ll have to stay ready for December when the snow actually returns!
https://m.accuweather.com/en/us/grand-rapids-mi/49503/extended-weather-forecast/329374
This one of the best April SNOW maps that I have ever seen! Bring on a monster SNOWSTORM over Spring Break!
http://www.instantweathermaps.com/GFS-php/conussfc.php?run=2018032512&time=PER&var=ASNOWI&hour=384
Yet another clear and cold morning. The low here at my house was a cold 21° and it looks like the low at the airport should come in at 22° Since March 6th Grand Rapids has only had 2 days with a mean temperature above average. And now stands at -1.7° for the month. And it has been very dry with just a trace of rain or snow in the last 12 days and only 0.51” total for the month so far.
Slim