As we move into early October, we lose three minutes of daylight daily. Sunset is now before 7:30 p.m. when it was around 9:30 in July. On November 5 we set our clocks back an hour as we move closer to the winter months. Enjoy the next few days as we will have sunny skies and temperatures 80° or better before a cold front moves through the area bringing rain and temperatures dropping into the 50s to low 60s for highs.
SW Michigan Forecast
September was overall a warmer-than-normal and drier-than-normal month. Temperatures started out the month quite warm, including some days in the 90s, and cooled toward mid-month, then warmed up a little in the latter part of the month. Overnight low temperatures remained mild also.
U.S.A and Global Events for October 2nd:
1858: The only hurricane to impact California struck San Diego on this day. Two researchers with NOAA Michael Chenoweth and Christopher Landsea reconstructed the path of the storm using accounts from newspapers of the high winds. They estimated that if a similar storm were to have hit in 2004, it would have caused around $500 million in damage.
The image above is from a tweet by the NWS Office in San Diego, California.
1898: A Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Georgia on this day. This is the most recent major (Cat 3 or stronger) hurricane to make landfall in Georgia.
1894: A tornado passed over the Little Rock, Arkansas Weather Bureau office on this day.
The image above is from a tweet by the NWS Office in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Forecast Discussion
Very warm conditions are expected through Wednesday. High pressure at the surface and aloft are causing heights to rise and h8 temps to climb to 16c. Highs will reach the mid 80s again today and humidity levels will also climb due to dewpoints in the lower 60s. We added a degree or two to guidance highs based on the dry profile noted in forecast soundings this afternoon but didn`t want to get too carried away given higher surface dewpoints. Record highs are in the 86-89 degree range, except at MKG which is 83. We`ll likely see another record set at MKG, but the other sites may fall a degree or two short. Skies are clear across the cwa and that trend will continue through Tuesday. Record highs Tuesday are closer to 90, the exceptions being MKG/GRR. Muskegon may exceed their record of 83 and GRR may exceed their record of 85. Dry weather is expected through the short term. - Potential for showers Wednesday night into Saturday Models show a series of mid to upper level shortwaves digging down into the Great Lakes region during this period leading to several rounds of showers. The first arrives Wednesday night into early Thursday. Decent lift arrives in the moist DGZ so POPs will be relatively high. Low level moisture may initially be limited but that should moisten up as well, still allowing for measurable QPF. Ensemble QPF values have been trending up in the models as well with nearly all members showing QPF now The next wave, which arrives Friday or Friday night looks stronger, and will be enhanced by lake moisture as delta T`s become supportive. Given the support for precipitation from the lake effect and the deepening mid to upper level heights, high POPs are warranted for this second wave as well. All models are in relative agreement on this scenario. - Cooling down for the end of the week into the weekend Steady cold air advection occurs from Thursday into Saturday. Trends have been colder and most models and their ensemble members show temperatures staying in the 50`s for Saturday and Sunday. We will also trend the forecast toward these colder values.
What do you know? GR finally had a slightly above normal temp month after 4 straight below normal temp months! Wow, what a cool stretch we had this summer! Incredible!
New record highs set at Sault Ste Marie and Alpena. The latest reading at the Sault set a new record high for October 2nd the old record of 81 was set in 1922. At Alpena the reading of 85 sets a new record there. The old record of 84 was also set in 1922. That 82 ties October 4th 1922 as the warmest day in October at the Sault.
Slim
There are 80s reaching almost as far north as James Bay, Ontario! That’s impressive being that far north of Lake Superior almost to the Hudson Bay!
There are some new record highs in parts of northern lower Michigan and the UP.
Slim
You got to love summertime weather hanging on into October! Let the good times roll!
Currently 80 and sunny here. It feels WAY warmer than 80 to me… I must not be acclimatized to the warmth anymore. 80 in July doesn’t feel this warm to me
Wow, we are entrenched in a warm weather period!! The above normal temp pattern keeps rocking! Bring on the summer weather!
The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 83/58 there were 6 CDD’s and there was no rain fall. The sun was out 68% of the possible time. For today the average H/L is now down to 67/47 the record high of 87 was set in 1971 and the record low of 27 was set in 1974. The record rain all amount of 1.75” fell in 2006. Last year the H/L was 65/42.
Slim
A new record high was set yesterday at Muskegon with a high of 83 the old record was 81 set in 1971. Here in Grand Rapids the high of 83 was the 4th warmest October 1st in recorded history. The high was also 83 in Holland their 2nd warmest October 1st The high reached 84 at Kalamazoo and that was their 5th warmest on record. Lansing was the “cool” spot with a high of just 80 and that was their 9th warmest October 1st One warm start to October 2023.
Slim
September was the first “above average” month since April. I’m pretty confident that trend will continue through the rest of the year.
Also anyone else have bad allergies? Mine got randomly bad right when the warmup started. Kinda excited for the cooler weather later this week
That was true at Grand Rapids and Detroit. At Flint and Saginaw July was near average (on the plus side) But at several other locations that were cooler in the past that was not the case. Lansing and Muskegon were above average all summer.
Slim
Back from Colorado, just an amazing place up in the mountains and the weather we had was simply stellar! We had 6 straight days without even a cloud and then a few scattered clouds the last 2 days with Summer time temps the whole week. It’s always a shock walking out of the Grand Rapids airport and breathing in the thick humid air here after being in such a dry climate. Dew points were in the high teens with daytime temps in the 80’s, close to 90, but we rarely used the AC. Arrived home and immediately turned the AC… Read more »
Welcome home, Barry. I’m glad you had a great time out west.
Sounds like you enjoyed your trip.
Slim