westMJim

Some weather history for April 15 in southern Lower Michigan. 1943: Temperatures plunge into the teens as snowflakes swirl in the arctic winds. Record lows include 16 degrees at Muskegon and 18 degrees at Grand Rapids. 2002: Four days of record warm weather peaks across Lower Michigan with Grand Rapids hitting 86 degrees and Lansing 84. 2018: A late-season winter storm brought up to 4 inches of snow, 2 inches of sleet, and almost half an inch of icing along with strong winds across Lower Michigan from the 14th to the 17th. Almost half a million people lost power. 2023, a period of anomalously warm early April conditions came to an end. High temperatures in the 80s set new records at Detroit, Flint, and Saginaw, on April 12, 13, 14, and 15. This was the second warmest start to April on record at Flint and Saginaw, behind 2010. 2014, light snowfall, the last of the season, blanketed Southeast Michigan. Detroit and Flint received 3.2″ and 1.3″, setting a new record for the snowiest winter at each location. Detroit recorded 94.9″ for the 2013-2014 winter season while Flint finished with 83.9″. Saginaw would eventually finish the season at 60.3″, its 15th snowiest winter. 1904, a two-day snowstorm ended in Saginaw. The storm left the city with 12.5 inches of snow. 1976, the county of Midland was hit by an F1 tornado at 3:30 PM causing $25,000 in property damage. Elsewhere across the US 1927, The Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927 continued to rage. Tremendous rains all over the Mississippi River Valley during the preceding autumn and winter sent floodwaters raging southward over a wide area. On this date, the government levee at Dorena, MO collapsed. The surge of floodwater continued pushing downriver toward the Mississippi Delta, bursting more dams as it went. Also on this day, New Orleans saw 15 inches of rain in 18 hours. More than 4 feet of water covered parts of the city. 1998, An F3 tornado hits downtown Nashville causing extensive damage but no loss of life. An additional 62 tornadoes touched down in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. These tornadoes caused 12 fatalities and approximately 120 injuries. 2000, What a difference a day made (with the help of a strong cold front). Yesterday’s 86 degrees in Goodland, Kansas, tied the record high for the date. Today’s high of 29 degrees was also a date record high, but a record low high. It was a new record by 3 degrees.

The official H/L yesterday was a very warm 76/47 there was no rainfall and there was 97% of possible sunshine. The average wind speed was 12.1MPH and the highest gust was 32 MPH out of the SW. For today the average H/L is 58/37 the record high of 84 was set in 2002 and 2003 the record low of 18 was set in 1943 the most rainfall of 1.40” was in 1991 the most snowfall of 4.0” was in 1919 that year also had the most on the ground with 3” Last year the H/L was a warm 81/59.

The official H/L yesterday was 58/42 there was no rainfall, the sun was out 100% of the possible time. The average wind speed was 11.3 MPH and the peak gust was 29 MPH out of the W. For today the average H/L is 57/37 the record high of 83 was set just last year. The record low of 21 was set in 1943 and 1953. The most rainfall of 1.07” fell in 1987 the most snowfall of 4.1” was in 2019 the most on the ground was a trace in several years. Last year had that record high of 83 and a low of 48.

We had a strong El Nino this past winter and it sure did show it. At Grand Rapids the mean for December 2023 was 38.3° that is a departure of +7.9° There was just 1.3” of snowfall. December 2023 was the 2nd warmest on record and that 1.3” of snowfall was the 2nd lowest for any December. January had a mean of 27.1 that was a departure of +2.3° There was 31.3” of snowfall that mostly fell in a 12-day stretch. February seen a mean of 35.4 that was a departure of +8.8° and that was a new record for the month. The high on February 27th of 73 set a new record high for any day of February at Grand Rapids it was the 1st time it has reached 70 or better in February. March continued the mild side with a mean of 40.9 that is good for a departure of 5.2” of snowfall. At the current time it looks like we will be heading towards a La Nina this winter. In the past, going back to 1950 there have been 5 years when we went from a strong or very strong El Nino to a La Nina during the summer season 1988. 1973, 1983. 1998. And 2016. 2024 with be the 6th one. The summer of 1988 had many very hot days with 37 days of 90° or better the most ever at Grand Rapids but with mostly dry air the nights were not that warm so the summer mean of 72.1° was +1.2 above the summer average of 70.9. The summer of 1973 was also warmer than average with a mean of 71.6.. 1983 had a 3 month mean of 71.5 (+0.6). 1998 The summer of 1998 had a 3 month mean of 70.6 (-0.3). 2016 The summer of 2016 had a June, July, August mean of 72.7(+1.8) 4 of the 5 past times we went from El Nino to La Nina the summers were warmer than average. As for the winter in the La Nina stage after a strong or very strong El Nino. The winter of 1973/74 had a December, January, February mean of 24.3°. snowfall for the season was just 64.4”. The winter of 1983/84 had a winter mean of 23.4° For the season there was 71.4” of snowfall. The winter of 1988/89 had a winter mean of 25.8°. That season had a total of 62.2” of snowfall. The winter of 1998/99 had a winter mean of 28.6° snowfall for the season was 76.7”. December 2016 had a mild mean of 30.4° season had 60.7” of snowfall. The 30-year December, January, February mean at Grand Rapids is 27.3°. The average snowfall at Grand Rapids for the season is 77.6”. This past winter the winter mean was 33.6° and there was just 47.5” of snowfall of that 31.3” fell in January. The past 5 times there was a strong El Nino to La Nina the summer mean was 71.7 or +0.8 and the winter after had a mean of 26.5 or -0.8.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 57/45 there was 0.12” of rainfall the sun was out 22% of the time. It was a very windy day with the highest wind of 53 MPH out of the NW there were around 60,000 customers without power yesterday afternoon. For today the average H/L is 57/36 the record high of 80 was set in 1941and 2023 and the record low of 16 was set in 1957. The most rainfall of 1.09” fell in 1983 the most snowfall of 2.8” fell in 1962 the most on the ground was 1” on several years the last time was in 2007. Last year the H/L was that record high of 80 and a low of 56.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 56/46 there was 0.61” of rainfall (here in MBY I recorded 0.42”) The average windspeed was 11.4 MPH and the peak gust was 26 MPH out of the NW. There was no sunshine. For today the average H/L is 56/36 the record high of 82 was set in 1977 and the record low of 19 was set in 1939 and 1950. The most rainfall of 1.12” fell in 2019the most snowfall of 1.2” fell in 1989. The most on the ground was 3” in 2007. Last year the H/L was 77/59.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 66/43 there was no rainfall. The average wind speed was 12.3 MPH and the peak gust was 33 MPH out of the W. For today the average H/L is 55/35 the record high of 85 was set in 2011 and the record low of 15 was set in 1989. The most rainfall of 1.08” was in 2008 the most snowfall of 2.0” was in 1894. The most on the ground was 5” in 1973. Last year the H/L was 67/43. The overnight low here in MBY was 34 the current temperature is 36 with clear skies. The first 9 days of April are now in the record books and the mean so far is 45.7 the is +2.4 the high so far this month is 71 and the low so far is 31. There has been a trace of snowfall 0.81” of rainfall.

It also got a tad cooler here in Ohio but not as cool as I thought it would. It did warm up faster than I expected after.

You are to the SW of where I am at. You look clearer than here at the current time. There are some high clouds here at this time. Hope that clearing moves to the NE. The time I have for your area is 3M 58S and for here in Bucyrus OH of 3M 49S

At this time the sky is clear with nice blue skies. Hope it stays this way. Here in the town of Bucyrus the main street dose not seem to have much traffic at this time. There is a park with some set up for the event but we are going to just stay here at the motel. Right out the door here the time of totality will be 3 minutes 49 seconds. At a very small town to the west of here where the center line runs thru the time there is just 7 seconds longer. We drove thru that town yesterday (the towns name is Forest) the people did not look to be very welcoming to anyone stopping there.

Good morning from Bucyrus Ohio. At the current time here it is partly cloudy. The forecast for today is partly ot mostly sunny with highs in the low 70's with falling temperatures during the eclipse. We are going to stay right here in the motel paring lot area there is a lot of grass areas here and several other guest have lawn chairs (we do too) and will just see the eclipse from here.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 59/31 there was no rain/snow. The sun was out 100% of the time. The average wind speed was just 4.1 MPH For today the average H/L is 54/34 the record high of 81 was set in 1991 the record low of 3 was set in 1982. The most snow fall of 5” fell in 1956. The most snow on the ground was 7” in 1982 Last year the H/L was 50/30. The overnight low here in MBY was 29 at this time it is clear and 41. We will be heading out for Ohio around noon. The weather at my picked out site is sill kind of up in the air with rain overnight and hopefully clearing before the eclipse.

My wife and I are going to Ohio to see the total solar eclipse on Monday. We are going to the town of Bucyrus. It is a rather small town about 40 miles SSW of Sandusky. The eclipse will be total there for about 3 minutes and 43 seconds. While not the longest period of total in Ohio (around 3 minutes 52 seconds is) I have booked a hotel for both Sunday and Monday nights. We will view the eclipse from the parking lot. The will give us a nice base for the viewing (depending of course on how the sky conditions play out) So we will have a bathroom if needed and a place to get food and drinks as needed. During the last eclipse in 2017 we went to the Tennessee-Kentucky state line. We had a space at a drive in movie theater. That worked out great as we had the above bathroom and there was food and they had several people from the University of Western Kentucky give presentations on the eclipse. That drive-inn is right on the state line and you could walk into Tennessee and or Kentucky. That eclipse the time of totally was 2M and 32S so this year it will be just over a minute longer than that one was. The day that year was great with a clear sky and the temperature was in the low 90’s before the start and yes it did indeed get much cooler at its peak. The biggest issue wat the huge traffic jam that happened after. I went to get on north bound I 65 and in the road leading to the interstate the right lane was stopped about 3 miles before the exit. I took the back road up the Bowling Green it was not bad on the road but there was still a lot of traffic. We had dinner in Bowling Green and I thought the traffic would be broken up by there. Well it was not. The line to get on I 65 was now around 10 miles long. I decided to take a back two lane road north. So I got on US 31 north. This was a good idea for about 70 miles. On I 65 it is about 125 miles to Louisville and less than 2 hours. Well after about 70 miles US 31 was also backed up and we were just crawling along at bout 20 MPH. It took us until past 12 midnight to get to Louisville. As I did not know how to cross the river on the back road and the city streets in Louisville. I got back on 65 it was moving now but it was only about 40 MPH. It was a long trip home that night so this time I am staying a 2nd night at the hotel. While it is still a ways out and things could change but this AM weather guess for Sunday in Bucyrus is Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Southeast wind around 11 mph. So we shall see.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 50/36 there was no rain/snowfall. The sun was out 51% of the time. The average wind speed was 9 MPH. For today the average H/L is 54/34 the record high of 81 was set in 1921 and 1991 the record low of 18 was set in 1943 and 2003. The most rainfall of 1.87” fell in 2010 the most snowfall of 3.5” fell in 1914 the most on the ground was 7” in 1982. Last year the H/L was 45/34.

Weather history for April 6 1882: A tornado outbreak strikes Lower Michigan, killing 10 people and injuring more than 50 others. Tornadoes struck Midland and Kalamazoo Counties, killing one person each. Four people were killed in a tornado that moved between Bedford and Charlotte. Three people were killed in Oakland County by a tornado that passed between Clyde and West Highland. A tornado that struck east of Dansville in Ingham County killed one person. A barn and home were destroyed by a tornado a mile west of Charlotte, but no one was killed. On April 6, 2010, a prolific hail storm moved from southern Livingston County to southern Macomb County. The storm produced 1.5 inch diameter hail in Brighton, 1.75 inch in Commerce, and 2.25 inch hail in Sterling Heights. On April 6, 2009, a low pressure system tracking northeast through the Ohio River Valley produced a late season heavy snowfall across Southeast Michigan. Snowfall totals averaged 1 to 4 inches south of I-94, 4 to 8 inches between I-94 and I-69, and 1 to 4 inches north of I-69. Due to the heavy snow and winds to around 30 mph, tree branches came down which resulted in power outages focused along the M-59 corridor. Some of the higher snowfall included Grand Blanc 6.3 inches, Elba 7.0 inches, Cement City 6.0 inches, Howell 6.3 inches, Shelby Township 6.4 inches, White Lake 7.8 inches, Deckerville 6.0 inches, Ann Arbor 6.0 inches, and Romulus 6.7 inches. On April 6, 1886, the biggest snowfall ever recorded in Detroit in a 24 hour period occurred with 24.5 inches. This snow had a very high water content (2.43 inches) and was therefore very heavy and packed. This made it difficult for residents and services, such as police and medical, to travel anywhere. Amazingly, the next day temperatures rose to 40 degrees and up into the 50s later in the week. Also on April 6, 1882, the earliest recorded Michigan tornado outbreak hit Southern Lower Michigan. Six tornadoes rolled across the southern part of the state including Midland, Bay, Livingston and Oakland Counties. In the state there were 10 deaths and 54 injuries as a result of the outbreak. The Midland tornado started just north of Midland and ended near Inwood in Bay County. This tornado was responsible for 1 death and 15 injuries. The Livingston tornado started near Hartland and moved to Clyde in Oakland County. Five homes were destroyed near Clyde where the 3 deaths and three injuries were reported. 1997: A strong cold front moved through with a line of thunderstorms producing wind gusts to 70 mph and causing widespread damage across much of southern Lower Michigan.

Weather history in southern lower Michigan for April 4th 2003: A devastating ice storm strikes central Lower Michigan. Heavy rain from thunderstorms falls into a layer of cold air near the ground and freezes on contact, creating sheaths of ice up to 3 inches thick that bring down thousands of tree limbs. It was estimated that 450,000 homes and businesses lost power during the storm and that nearly 50,000 people were without power for a week as persistent cold temperatures kept the heavy ice on the trees for 4 days after the storm. Crews came from four different states to help local utility companies restore power. The storm was responsible for up to an inch of accumulated ice in Oakland County, which caused 500,000 people to be without power and $50 million in damage.

The official H/L yesterday was 45/35 there was 0.06” of precipitation of that there was a trace of snowfall. The highest wind gust was 30 MPH out of the SW there was just 11% of possible sunshine. For today the average H/L is 53/33 the record high of 77 was set in 1921 the record low of 13 was set in 1971 the most rainfall of 1.27” fell in 2003 the most snowfall of 2.5” fell in 1920. The most snow on the ground was 8” in 1975. Last year the H/L was 52/46 and there was 0.50” of rainfall. There was a brief period of heavy snowfall here yesterday and I had 0.4” of precipitation with that trace of snowfall. The overnight low here was 33 and the current temperature here is 36 with cloudy skies.

The official H/L yesterday was 47/37 there was 0.32” of rainfall. The highest reported wind gust was 35 MPH out of the SW there was no sunshine. For today the average H/L is 52/33 the record high of 80 was set in 1999 the record low of 10 was set in 1965 the most rainfall of 1.16” fell in 2007. The most snowfall of 6.0” fell in 1926 the most on the ground was 10” in 1975. Last year the H/L was 58/44 and there was 0.37” of rain. The overnight low and current temperature here in MBY is 35 with a light mist falling. I had a total of 0.34” of rainfall yesterday and overnight.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 52/35 there was 0.22” 0f rain fall. Other data is missing currently. For today the average H/L is 52/32 the record high of 83 was set in 2010 the record low of 11 was set in 1965 the record rainfall of 1.16” fell in 1945 the most snowfall of 7.8” fell in 1975 the most on the ground was 6” in 1970. Last year the H/L was 49/24. The overnight low here in MBY was 37 I recorded 0.25” of rainfall. While I can not confirm it but my wife was talking to her sister-in-las last night who lives north of Bay City in Linwood and she told my wife that it was snowing there and the ground was covered. At the current time here in MBY there is a mist, and it is 39.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 46/37 there was no rain/snowfall or sunshine. The highest wind gust was 14 MPH out of the E. For today the average H/L is 52/32 the record high of 82 was set in 2010 and the record low of 13 was set in 1954 the most rainfall of 1.34” fell in 1954 the record snowfall of 4.8” was in 1972, 1972 also had the most on the ground with 6” Last year the H/L was 57/32. In looking back at March 2024, the mean for the month at Grand Rapids was 40.5 that is a departure of +5.2 there was 3.74” of precipitation that is +1.35” the total snowfall was 7.2” that is a departure of -0.4” The high for the month was 71 there were 3 days with highs of 70 or better. The low for the month was 17.

The official H/L yesterday was 45/33 there was 0.20” of rainfall the highest wind gust was 16 MPH out of the NW. There was no sunshine. For today the average H/L is 51/32 the record high of 78 was set in 1986 and 2010 the record low of 6 was set in 1923. The most snow fall of 3.7” was in 1951 the most on the ground was 7” in 1970. Last year set the most rainfall of 2.02” and the H/L was 58/39.

When it turns to April on Monday I have set up an April discussion

On Monday we will flip the calendar to April. So, it is just about time to talk about April. I will start out with some April weather history for Grand Rapids Michigan Durning April the length of the time the sun is up increases from 12 hours 46 minutes on the 1st to 14 hours 6 minutes on the 30th The average H/L starts out at 52/32 on the 1st and is up to 64/43 by the 30th The mean average temperature for April at Grand Rapids is 47.6° the average precipitation is 3.99” the average snowfall is 2.0” The top 5 warmest April’s at Grand Rapids are 53.8 in 1915, 53.7 in 2010. 52.8 in 1896 and 1955 and 52.1 in 1921. The top 5 coldest April’s are 37.6 in 1907, 39.6 in 1950, 39.8 in 1975, 40.1 in 2018, 40.4 in 1926. The wettest April’s at Grand Rapids are 11.10” in 2013, 8.29” in 1909, 7.19” in 2011, 6.69” in 1999 and 6.37” in 1947. The dryest 0.39” in 1942, 0.77” in 2009 and 1899, 0.85” in 1915 and 0.98” in 1932. The most snowfall is 15.6” in 1961, 12.4” in 1982, 11.2” in 1926, 10.5” in 1952 and 10.1” in 1936. I lived in Bay City in 1975 and starting around 8PM on April 2nd and 6Am on April 3rd Bay City had over 15” of snow in a big time April snowstorm that had high winds and thundersnow. The record high for April at Grand Rapids is 90° set on April 29, 1899, the record low of 3 was set on April 7th, 1982, the low reached 7 on April 8th that same year there was 7” of snow on the ground at that time. There have only been 3 years in where April did not reach 70 or better. In 1950 the high for the month was just 67 in 1961 and 1907 the highest was just 68. I did not live in Grand Rapids in 1956 but the most destructive tornado in west Michigan hit that year on April 3rd the storm was less than a half mile from were I now live. The afternoon of Tuesday, April 3rd, 1956 was warm and humid. Strong south winds had brought summer-like temperatures and humidity, with record highs in the upper 70°s at Muskegon and Grand Rapids. Holland and Kalamazoo both reached 80 degrees. Dew points were in the 60°s even near Lake Michigan. But a strong cold front was approaching from the west and out ahead of it, a line of violent thunderstorms had formed over Wisconsin and Illinois. By 1 PM, a tornado had roared through Bancroft, Wisconsin, killing two people. Another tornado would level the town of Berlin, Wisconsin an hour later, leaving 7 more dead and 50 injured. Michigan was put on alert. The U.S. Weather Bureau (forerunner of the National Weather Service) office in Grand Rapids began notifying the public and civil defense officials that the risk of tornadoes across western Michigan was increasing. Some schools began letting out early, anticipating the severe weather to come. The storms crossed Lake Michigan, and when they reached the west coast of Lower Michigan by late afternoon, they immediately began producing tornadoes. Three hours of terror would follow. At least four powerful tornadoes would be spawned, tearing their way across the landscape. When it was over, areas from Saugatuck to Traverse City, and inland to Middleville and Rockford were dealing with unprecedented destruction. Almost 20 people were dead and hundreds injured. Dozens of homes were obliterated. Many people’s lives were irrevocably changed. The worst hit areas were Hudsonville and Standale, where entire neighborhoods were laid waste. Many people, some of them badly injured, helped in the immediate recovery by searching for neighbors trapped under the debris of what had been their homes. Police and National Guard units were dispatched to make sure roads were kept clear of sightseers, allowing the injured to be evacuated to hospitals. Dozens of seriously injured people were brought to hospitals in Grand Rapids, Holland, and Zeeland. In the following days, the cleanup and rebuilding began. The Red Cross and Salvation Army would provide much needed supplies, including food, clothing and temporary housing. Homes and farms were rebuilt, even as family members recuperated in the hospital. But the impact of the storms would never be forgotten by those that lived through them.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 43/27 there was no rain/snowfall it was yet another windy day with the highest wind gust of 35 MPH out of the W. The sun was out 96% of the time. For today the average H/L is 50/31 the record high of 82 was set in 1910 and the record low of 6 was set in 1970. The most rainfall of 0.83” was in 1973 the most snowfall of 7.5” was in 1954 the most on the ground was 8” in 1970. Last year the H/L was 39/23 and there was 0.6” of snowfall. There is a lot of frost this morning and the overnight low here was a cold 21 and at the current time it is 23 with clear skies.

The official H/L yesterday was 36/31 there was a trace of snowfall. It was another windy day with a highest wind gust of 37 MPH out of the W. There was just 26% of possible sunshine. For today the average H/L is 50/31 the record high of 78 was set in 1905 and the record low of 8 was set in 1923. The most rainfall of 1.33” was in 2020 the most snowfall of 3.3” was in 1947 the most on the ground was 10” in 1970. Last year the H/L was 48/28. With just 4 days to go in March even with the record cold this month with a mean of 41.2 is still +6.2 above average. There has been 3.54” of precipitation that is +1.52 the 7.2” of snowfall is right at average. For the season GR is now at 47.5” of snowfall that is a departure of -27.7” and is the 4 lowest snowfall total in the last 75 years.