The keyword for today and tomorrow are warm. We also have the chance of storms coming into the picture which seems appropriate with the Skywarn sessions around the area this week. I will be bringing my brother this year to the session in Shelbyville. He is a well known musician in the Grand Rapids area who also has an interest in the weather and wants to become a spotter.
Below are the SPC graphics for Thursday which has the slight risk for storms covering the lower half of the lower peninsula. We have a 15% chance of severe weather within 25 miles of any point in the risk area. The main threat will be damaging winds with an isolated tornado. I have said in earlier postings we could see a stormy spring this year…
Today the severe weather will be in Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and western Tennessee.
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Weather History for Southwest Michigan
March 10
1901: An ice storm across southwest Lower Michigan caused thousands of dollars in damage, and paralyzed telephone, telegraph, news wires and railroads. Streams were swollen as rain fell onto frozen ground, resulting in many washouts and accidents. Similar conditions were also reported for St. Joseph, Grand Haven, Ionia, Coldwater and Kalamazoo.
1993: A snowstorm drops 6 to 8 inches of snow across southwest Lower Michigan. Record daily snowfall includes 6.2 inches at Grand Rapids and 6.4 inches at Muskegon.
March 11
1948: Arctic air prevails with high temperatures in the teens and low temperatures near zero. Muskegon sets a record low of 2 degrees.
March 12
1976: A tornado outbreak struck from Michigan to Alabama. At least four tornadoes hit Michigan with nine people injured. Two tornadoes hit Jackson County, with damage to several homes and businesses. One person was injured in Ottawa County as a tornado moved from north of Holland to north of Hudsonville.
March 13
1990: A spell of record warm weather continues across Lower Michigan with temperatures in the 70s. Lansing hits 74 degrees during a string of four straight days in the 70s.
1993: The Superstorm of 1993 dumps three to four feet of snow across the Appalachians and draws down record cold arctic air across Lower Michigan. High temperatures struggle to reach the lower 20s with gusty winds making it feel even colder.
March 14
1904: A snowstorm drops up to a foot of snow across Lower Michigan with record daily snowfall of 10.5 inches at Grand Rapids, 10 inches at Lansing and 8.0 inches at Muskegon. This snow would contribute to some of the worst floods on record in southwest Lower Michigan when it melts off during the last week of the month.
March 15
1912: Cold and snow continue during a very wintry month. Lansing sets a daily snowfall record with 11.5 inches and Grand Rapids with 5.2 inches. Lansing falls to one degree below zero the next morning.
1990: Four days of record warmth culminates with highs of 77 degrees at Lansing, 75 at Grand Rapids and 72 at Muskegon.
March 16
1945: The warmest March on record in southwest Lower Michigan produces record high temperatures in the 70s.
Below are the NAM guesses for storm formation and wind speeds for Thursdays storms. Stay tuned…..
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From NWS GR’s morning update:
Changes to the forecast are highlighted as follows:
– The threat for strong/severe storms this afternoon/evening looks lower than previously thought with areas south/east of Lower Michigan most at risk.
– High temperatures and non-convective wind gusts today will also be lower than previously thought, the former topping out in the lower 60s.
– Light non-impactful snow showers are expected Friday along the backside of the storm system responsible for our active weather.
– A period of tranquil weather is expected from this weekend and beyond.
http://hint.fm/wind/
I know it has been posted before…. interesting tonight.
Looks like far too much rain for our frozen ground 🙁
Wind gusts hitting 100mph in Colorado now! That is some crazy wind!!
Just spoke with a client in Denver. The Cyclone Bomb is upon them. 75 mph wind gusts at the airport right now.
Wow. Most powerful storm the country has seen so far in 2019? The tornado front was powerful too, but very limited in overall size.
https://twitter.com/RyanMaue/status/1105907627920449536
“It’s like 1,000 mile wide hurricane was plopped in the middle of the Central Plains…”
To be honest, when they predicted 70+ mph winds days ago, I had a hard time believing it – especially so far in advance.
Still waiting for the “warm” air…nothing but snow as far as the eye can see in Ada. Sad to see that the “storm!”, and “severe!” fantasies remain year after year, as we all know those conditions don’t exist in the Southern Arctic. Simple storm greed. Enjoy the thaw.
The snow looks dirty but hey there is still a lot of snow on the ground in the UP
https://www.jamadots.com/webcams
Slim
Lots of green already driving through town! That didn’t take long. GR has been reporting only 1″ the past 2 days. Might be zero official snow as of today.
That seems to be the case for many areas of GR But not here west of Alpine as there is still a good amount of snow and ice on the ground and the parking lot piles are still very high and they (the parking lot piles) will still be here even after this one day warm up.
Slim
By the way the record high for March 14 is 80 set 2012. It reach 75 in 1995 and 1990, 72 in 1973, 70 in 1957, 68 in 1945, 67 in 1913, 64 in 1971 and 1929, 62 in 1907 and 61 in 1946. We shall see if we can indeed make it into the mid to upper 60’s
Slim
So far the temperature is hanging in at 39 here at my house and while there are now some bare spots showing up there is still a good amount of snow and ice in my area. It should be noted you do not have to go too far where that is not the case driving around town many areas have a lot of bare ground.
Slim
Im thinking rain showers clouds and wind will be a factor in tomorrow’s severe weather in west Michigan typical cold front storm chances here but southeast Michigan will have a better shot at sunshine and warmer temperatures which provide a better chance of a good storm during the afternoon, I’m loving the warmth let’s keep it going hopefully by Friday all of my snow will be gone to next year with 2 months of snow pk it’s time …Have a good hump day MV’S best ..INDY!
Mid 60’s with a chance of tornadoes – it must be spring already!
Looks like I underestimated when I guessed 59.
In only 5 of the last 20 years it has not reached 60 or better in March at Grand Rapids and only in 4 years at Lansing,
Slim
Great news>>>>get ready for another below normal temp weekend. It should great for skiing up in snow country! Nubs Nob here I come and this will be 15 weeks in a row! What a great winter for skiing! Incredible!
Nothing like shelling out tons of money and gas to go skiing hundreds of miles north on crusty, melty man made snow that has recently been rained on. Hard pass!