It seems like it was just yesterday that we set the clocks back to winter time and now it is time to reset them (the clocks) to summer time. There was a time when Michigan was on EST time for the whole year and in the mid or late 1960’s we started going on EDT time and the time change was the last week of April and the last week of October. Of course that has been changed and now we make the change in early March and early November. As we are now on DST longer than the standard time I think we should call the time between March and November the standard time or summer time and the time between November and March that should be call Winter Time. Anyway remember to change any clocks that you have to change tonight.
We are now heading into mid-March and here are some weather tidbits for mid-month. March 15th is the Ides of March and on the 15th here in Grand Rapids over the week the average H/L increases from 44/26 to 46/28. Here is a break down for March 15th on the 15th the average H/L is 44/26 the record high of 75 was in 1990 the warmest minimum was a mild 53 in 2012 when the high was also a mild 74. The record low is 5 set in 1897 with a low of 6 recorded in more recent time in 1993. The coldest maximum is 20 set in 1993. The most snow to fall is 5.2” in 1912. The most snow on the ground is 11” in 1904. There was 8” on the ground in 2014. Last year the high was 44 and the low was 24.
For St. Paddy’s day March 17th the average H/L is 45/27. The record high of 78 happened in the very warm March of 2012 and the record warmest minimum of 54 was also in 2012. The record coldest maximum is a very cold 10 in 1941 and the record low is a another very cold one at -4 in 1949. The biggest snow fall of 7.5” fell in 1973. I lived in Bay City at that time and there we had a snow fall of 22” The most snow on the ground at GR was 15” in 1904 there was 7” on the ground in 2014. Last year the high was 45 and the low was 27.
For next Saturday the 20th the average H/L is 46/28 The record high of a very warm 83 was set in 2012 and the low that night was near summer like 59. The coldest low is a cold +3 set in 1965 and the coldest maximum of 19 was also set in 1965. The biggest snow fall of 8.4” was in 1940 and the most on the ground 9” in that cold March of 1965. In 2014 there was still 4” on the ground here in Grand Rapids. Last year the high was 62 and the low was 25.
While so far March 2021 has only seen a trace of snow fall and just 0.05” rain history would indicate that we stand a good chance of seeing more snow this month. In recorded history at Grand Rapids only 1910 had no snow fall reported and in 1945 just a trace was reported. There have only been a total of 5 years where March did not receive at least one inch of snow and just 12 were less than 2” fell. On the flip side there have been 1 year with 30” or more (1965) and a total of 6 years with 20” or more 20 years with 15” or more 33 with 12” or more 47 years with 10” or more. There also have been 13 years where April seen more snow than March, so there is a good chance that Grand Rapids will see more snow this month and there is still a chance of a good size snowstorm. And of course there is always a chance of a ice storm as well. Once again do not forget to change the time tonight.
Slim
The length of daylight is now the same as it is on September 30th. While the sun angle is the same it is much warmer in September than it is today. Today the average H/L at Grand Rapids is 43/26 and the record high is 75 and the record low is +3. While on September 30th the average H/L is 67/47 and the record high is 85 and the record low is 30.
Slim
As for the weather, what a simply amazing stretch we are in with nothing but sun every day. No the grounds not froze solid, and yes there have been a lot of people on the golf courses this week. If the ground was actually frozen, you could probably add an extra 20 or 30 yards to your drives from the bounce and roll.
Thanks Slim! I also wish we would just switch to the Summer time” clock and leave it there. Legislators talk about it, introduce bills, but nothing ever gets done. Seems a simple vote by the people would take care of it once and for all. Some argue for the kids and having light in the morning, but all of our kids while in school would leave by 630 in the morning and no matter what time we were on it was always dark. No argument to be had there.
I would have no problem staying on the so called DST time. In fact there was year long DST in 1974.
“It was 1974, and the energy crisis was cutting into the American way of life, with odd-even gas rationing, a national speed limit and shortened Nascar races. The Emergency Daylight Saving Time Act signed by President Nixon dictated that clocks would spring forward one hour on Jan. 6 — and stay that way for almost 16 months, until April 27, 1975.”
Slim
I am a big fan of changing the time to EDT and keeping it there permanently. But there are some people who do like it getting light earlier. Also it does keep the morning lighter for the kids before school. Otherwise I think the general consensus is to switch to EDT and keep it there. Positives outweighs the negatives imo.
And would be nice to have 6PM sunsets all winter!
Skiing and then a dinner break and then one more night of night skiing! It doesn’t get better than that! Incredible!
The skiing conditions have been spectacular all winter including all of March!
I will be skiing in a matter of hours! I absolutely love it!
Low of 28* degrees in my area overnight felt great outside crispy and fresh leaving the club let’s do it again GO BLUE!! Loving this time of year is there anything better ??? Spring has Sprung Happy Saturday everybody … INDY
It was down into the low 20’s here this morning! The ground is frozen solid! Fantastic!
Getting the clubs out and cleaning them up for 9 holes later today when it gets up to 50!!! Golfing in March is INCREDIBLE!! Love only having to drive 15 minutes to enjoy some fun outdoors!! Driving 4 hours and slipping around on skis in man made slush sounds awful!!
Golf courses are frozen solid this morning and with 20 to 25 mph wind gusts it will be a terrible day to golf! I think I will head up to Nubs for some incredible skiing! The beat goes on and on this winter!