Weather History – 5/5

Weather History

1895: An early-season heat wave peaks with record highs of 96 degrees at Grand Rapids and 92 degrees at Lansing. The 96 degrees at Grand Rapids is a record for so early in the season.

On May 5, 2003, an F1 tornado hit outside of Leonard in Oakland County. There were also many reports of hail ranging from 0.75 inch to 0.88 inch throughout the cities of Linden, Flint, Fenton, Grand Blanc, Thetford Center, Burton and Davison. Some of these places also reported wind from 70 to 75 mph.

Forecast Discussion

As of 7 a.m., we had .70 inches of rain, which is 1.24 inches for the month and 8.81 inches since March 1st in Otsego.

There is a slight chance of showers today and tonight with highs in the mid-60s.  Shower chances increase tomorrow with highs around 60°.

- Cool and unsettled weather through Tuesday

Early morning showers in central Michigan will tend to weaken and
should leave much of today mainly dry. Chances for showers return
this evening through tonight beginning in southern and eastern
areas. Upper-level shortwave troughing revolving around the
eastern half of the Ohio valley cutoff low will exert peak
influence over Lower Michigan by Tuesday morning with a surface
low also retrograding in from the east and then stalling. A
flare-up in showers is looking likely throughout Tue morning with
deeper moisture, and also weak low-level instability that may be
sufficient for a few lightning strikes in southeastern areas.
HREF local probability-matched mean QPF suggests another 0.50 to 1
inch of rain in portions of mid Michigan.

- Mainly dry and seasonable Wednesday and beyond

The blocking pattern over the CONUS will further erode and the
cutoff low will migrate eastward out of the picture on Wednesday.
On its heels will be a northern stream trough and cold front
diving in from the north. Some light rain showers can`t be ruled
out but it is likely to come through dry for most. Thursday night
there is a chance of frost in the typically cooler spots with a
ridge of high pressure nosing into the area.