westMJim

The 1st 20 days of February are now in the history books and at Grand Rapids the mean is 33.7 that is a departure of +7.6 at this point this February is the 4th warmest of record for GR. The high for the month so far is 59 and the low so far is 12 there has been 0.53” of participation and just 5.5” of snowfall. Several of the next 9 days look to be well above average so we shall see how this February ends up. The current warmer years are 34.7 in 2017, 34.1 in 1998 and 34.0 in 1984.

Some weather history in southern Lower Michigan 1986: Lake Michigan water levels are near record highs. Coastal flooding and erosion are a concern during winter storms along the shore. 2018, a 3-day period of heavy rain came to a close. Total rainfall from the period ranged from 1 to 3 inches with a peak measurement of 3.36″ in Livingston County. Combined with melting snowpack, this caused the Clinton River near Mount Clemens to reach moderate flood stage while the Tittabawassee at Midland fell just short of reaching major flood. 2014, the same storm that brought a round of thundersnow the day before moved off to the northeast. As this occurred, widespread wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph spread into Southeast Michigan with gusts up to 56 mph at Detroit Metro Airport and in Saginaw. 1930, the temperature rose to a record high of 63 in Detroit. This day was one of a three-day record-high streak from the 20th with 61 degrees to the 22nd with 65 degrees. Saginaw also experienced this three-day streak with temperatures of 62 degrees on the 20th, 64 degrees on the 21st, and 67 degrees on the 22nd. Across the USA 1935, Frequent dust storms occurred in eastern Colorado during the month, forcing schools to close and people to stay indoors. A fatality happened on this date when two section cars collided on the railroad near Arriba Colorado due to poor visibility. 1971, A tornado outbreak struck portions of the Lower Mississippi River Valley and the Southeastern United States on February 21–22nd. The two-day tornado outbreak produced at least 19 tornadoes, probably several more, primarily brief events in rural areas, and killed 123 people across three states. The tornadoes “virtually leveled” entire communities in the state of Mississippi.

The official H/L yesterday was 50/21 there was no rain/snowfall. The sun was out 85% of the possible time. The highest wind speed was 20 MPH out of the S. It was a nice day to be outside and the maple trees have their sap running. For today the average H/L is 35/21 the record high of 66 was set in 1930 and the record low of -8 was set in 1968. The wettest was in 1997 with 2.96” of that 3.0” fell as snow. The most snowfall is 6.0” in 1898. The most on the ground was 20” in 1936. Last year the H/L was 39/26 and there was 0.1” of snowfall.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 42/12 there was no rain/snowfall and there was 89% of possible sunshine. For today the average H/L is now up to 35/20 the record high of 63 was set in 2018 that day also had the record rainfall of 2.53” the record low of -13 was set in 1966 and 2015. The record snowfall of 7.0” fell in 2011 the most on the ground was 21” in 1936. Last year the H/L was 41/26. There was a nice red sunset last night. It was once again a rather cold night with a low of 19 here in MBY. With clear skis I now have 20.

Nice red sky sunset at this time.

Some weather history for southern Lower Michigan 1978: Record lows of 21 below zero at Lansing and 15 below at Grand Rapids contribute to this being the coldest February on record at Grand Rapids and the coldest of the 20th century at Lansing. The temperature never gets above freezing during the entire month at Lansing. 2016: Winds gusts to 70 mph in Grand Rapids and 66 mph in Jackson as a strong low-pressure center moved across the Great Lakes. Lower Michigan was on the warm side of the storm with record highs around 60 degrees. 1900, a snowstorm dropped 12.6 inches of snow at Detroit. This was the 7th heaviest snowstorm in Detroit history. It also started a remarkable run of snowstorms that included the 3rd and 4th heaviest snowstorms during the next two weeks in 1900. Across the USA 1884, Severe thunderstorms spawned sixty tornadoes in the southeastern U.S., killing more than 420 people and causing three million dollars in damage. The tornado outbreak hit Georgia and the Carolinas the hardest 1888, Severe thunderstorms over southern Illinois spawned a violent tornado in Jefferson County and devastated the southeast half of Mount Vernon. The tornado killed 24 people, injured 80 others, and destroyed or damaged 300 homes and 50 businesses. In addition, overturned wood stoves ignited many fires in the wreckage. The tornado currently stands as the 9th deadliest Illinois tornado on record and was one of the first disasters to which the American Red Cross responded.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 33/17 there was no rain/snowfall. There was 2” of snow on the ground. It was yet another windy day with the highest gust of 39 MPH the sun was out 18% of the time. For today the average high low is 34/20 the record high of 62 was set in 2017 the record low of -15 was set in 1978. The most rainfall was 0.85” in 1939 the most snowfall of 5.0” fell in 1901. The most snow on the ground was 22” in 1936 there was 21” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 47/34. With clear skies and a calm wind it got down to 14 overnight here in MBY at the current time with clear skies it is 15.

Some weather history for southern Lower Michigan 1926: A snowstorm drops 5 to 9 inches of snow across southern Lower Michigan. Lansing sets a record snow total for the day of 8.5 inches. 2014: Persistent cold weather and frequent snows during January and February result in a deep snow cover that persists through much of March. At Grand Rapids, the snow depth reaches 24 inches on this date, second only to the record of 25 inches set after the blizzard of late January 1978. 2019, an overachieving snowfall event occurred. A strong upper-level wave led to convective snow that resulted in a narrow swath of 5 to 7 inches of accumulation across the Ann Arbor to Utica corridor. Most other areas saw 1 to 4 inches of snow. 1976, the daytime temperature rose to 62 degrees in Detroit, which is 27 degrees above average. And across the USA 1992, A thunderstorm spawned a powerful F4 tornado so far north for the time of the year in southern Van Wert County in Ohio. The tornado touched down just west of US Route 127 and traveled northeastward for about 3 miles. One house was completely leveled, and nine others experienced severe damage. Six people were injured.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 27/18 there was a trace of snowfall and the day started with 2” on the ground. The highest wind speed was 49 MPH there was 22% of possible sunshine. For today the average H/L is 34/20 the record high of 59 was set in 2017 the record low of -10 was set in 1936 the most rainfall of 0.80” fell in 1976 the most snowfall of 7.0” fell in 1926 the most snow on the ground was 24” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 38/20 and there was 2” of snow on the ground.

So far, the big stories for the winter of 2023/24 have been the mild almost snowless December. The 2 weeks of cold and snow in January saw not only the coldest temperatures of the winter, but a total of 30” of snowfall in just two weeks. And now February has had a very warm start. For the winter season we are running near the record warm meteorological winter of 1921/32. The mean for the meteorological winter of 1931/32 was 33.9 so far this winter has a mean of 33.5. Here is a month by month breakdown of the meteorological winters of 1931/32 and 2023/24 so far. December 1931 had a mean of 35.8°, the high for the month was 55 and the low was 17. There was 7.1” of snowfall. December 2023 had a mean of 38.3 the high for the month was 58 and the low for the month was 22 there was just 1.3” of total snowfall. January 1932 The mean was 34.2 the high for the month was 58 and the low for the month was 5 there was just 3.2” of snowfall. January 2024 had a mean of 27.1 the high was only 40 the low for the month was -5 There were many days where it did not get below 30. The was a lot of snow in a two-week period when over 30” fell the month ended up with 31.3” of snowfall. February 1932 had a mean of 31.8 the high for the month was 64 and the low for the month was 13. There was 5.2” of snowfall. So far this year the 1st 16 days February mean is 35.1 that is a departure of +10.0. The highest so far is 59 and the lowest so far is just 21. There has been 5.5” of snowfall and 0.53” of total precipitation. In 1932 for the whole month of February the mean at GR was 31.8 the high for the month was 64 and the low for the month was 13. There was 5.2” of snowfall the total precipitation was 1.16”. The next 13 days will decide if this winter will be the warmest meteorological winter.

So far, the big stories for the winter of 2023/24 have been the mild almost snowless December. The 2 weeks of cold and snow in January saw not only the coldest temperatures of the winter, but a total of 30” of snowfall in just two weeks. And now February has had a very warm start. For the winter season we are running near the record warm meteorological winter of 1921/32. The mean for the meteorological winter of 1931/32 was 33.9 so far this winter has a mean of 33.5. Here is a month by month breakdown of the meteorological winters of 1931/32 and 2023/24 so far. December 1931 had a mean of 35.8°, the high for the month was 55 and the low was 17. There was 7.1” of snowfall. December 2023 had a mean of 38.3 the high for the month was 58 and the low for the month was 22 there was just 1.3” of total snowfall. January 1932 The mean was 34.2 the high for the month was 58 and the low for the month was 5 there was just 3.2” of snowfall. January 2024 had a mean of 27.1 the high was only 40 the low for the month was -5 There were many days where it did not get below 30. The was a lot of snow in a two-week period when over 30” fell the month ended up with 31.3” of snowfall. February 1932 had a mean of 31.8 the high for the month was 64 and the low for the month was 13. There was 5.2” of snowfall. So far this year the 1st 16 days February mean is 35.1 that is a departure of +10.0. The highest so far is 59 and the lowest so far is just 21. There has been 5.5” of snowfall and 0.53” of total precipitation. In 1932 for the whole month of February the mean at GR was 31.8 the high for the month was 64 and the low for the month was 13. There was 5.2” of snowfall the total precipitation was 1.16”. The next 13 days will decide if this winter will be the warmest meteorological winter.

Record breaking precipitation 0.49: and snowfall 5.5” amounts yesterday at Grand Rapids. The official H/L was 36/29 the highest wind speed of 44MPH was out of the west. For today the average H/L is 34/20 the record high of 29 was set in 1921 the record low of -12 was set in 1973. The most rainfall of 1.84” was in 1984 the most snowfall of 3.0” was in 2012. The most on the ground was 23” in 1936. Last year the H/L was 37/22 and there was 1.8” of snowfall.

that is what I have here as well.

At the current time there is snow falling and the temperature is 31. I now have just over 3” of snow on the ground. The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 42/22 there was no rain/snow before midnight. The sun was out 56% of the possible time. For today the average H/L is now up to 34/19 the record high of 61 was set in 1954 the record low of -8 was set in 2015. The most rainfall of 0.43” was in 1992 the most snowfall of 4.8” was in 1990. The most snow on the ground was 21” in 1985,1936 in 2014 there was 20” on the ground. Last year the H/L was 52/37 and there was 0.32” of rainfall.

The official H/L yesterday was 37/23 there was a trace of snowfall. The total for the month is now a trace. For today the average H/L is 33/19 the record high of 54 was set in 2023 the record low of -24 was set in 1899. The most rainfall of 0.90” fell in 1911 the most snowfall of 7.8” fell in 1946 the most on the ground was 21” in 1985 and 1936. Last year there was the record H of 54 and the low was 26.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 42/21 there was no rain/snowfall. The sun was out 67% of the possible time. The highest wind was 19 MPH out of the SW. For today the average H/L is 33/19 the record high of 58 was set in 1938 that year also had the most rainfall of 0.68”. The most snowfall of 5.0” fell in 1900 the most snow on the ground was 21” in 2014 and 1936 there was 20” on the ground in 1985. Last year the H/L was 42/28.

Some weather history for February 12 1967: Temperatures plummet to 24 below zero at Lansing and 16 below at Grand Rapids as arctic high pressure moves across Lower Michigan. 2019, the Tri-Cities and Thumb regions saw 3 to 6 inches of snow while areas south of Metro Detroit saw persistent freezing rain. Tens of thousands of residents lost power during this storm. Note the Tri-cities in Michigan are Bay City, Saginaw and Midland. 1784, Ice floes were spotted in the Gulf of Mexico after passing out the Mississippi River in February 1784. Ice blocked the river in New Orleans, Louisiana. The ice in New Orleans is one of two times that this occurred during the Great Arctic Outbreak of 1899. The eruption of Laki in Iceland from June 8, 1783, through February 7, 1784, is the likely cause for the severe winter of 1783 – 1784. 1899, The bitter cold outbreak of February 1899 continued across the southern Plains, Texas, and the Deep South. The mercury dipped to 8 degrees below zero at Fort Worth, Texas, and 22 degrees below zero at Kansas City, Missouri. Nebraska’s temperature at Camp Clarke plunged to 47 degrees below zero to establish a state record. The all-time record low for Oklahoma City was set when the temperature fell to a frigid 17 degrees below zero, breaking the previous record low of 12 below zero, set on the previous day. Washington D.C. hit 15 degrees below zero, while Charleston, SC, received a record four inches of snow. Snow was also reported in Fort Myers, Tampa, and Tallahassee Florida

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 38/28 there was no rain/snowfall. The sun was out only 6% of the possible time. For today the average H/L is 33/19 the record high of 55 was set in 1984 the record low of -23 was set in 1899. The most rainfall of 1.70” fell in 1938 the most snow fall of 5.1” fell in 2019. The most snow on the ground was 21” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 48/28. It looks like the official overnight low was 21 that is the coldest it has been this February so far. The low here in MBY was 20 and the current reading here in 24 with broken clouds.

Some weather history for February 11 1899: Muskegon records their all-time record low of 30 below zero. Grand Rapids falls to 21 below and Lansing 22 below. 1999: A surge of warm air ahead of a cold front brings all-time record-high February temperatures to much of Lower Michigan. February records include 67 degrees at Muskegon and 69 degrees at both Grand Rapids and Lansing. Battle Creek hits 72 degrees. On February 11, 1999, the temperature rose to 70 degrees in Detroit. This is the earliest 70 degree day ever recorded in the city of Detroit. 1895: The low temperature was 11 degrees below zero at Moline, Illinois, marking the last of 16 consecutive days on which the low temperature was at or below zero. During the first 11 days of February, Moline’s highest temperature was only 13 degrees above zero. Their current average high temperature for early February is in the lower 30s. 1983: Called the “Megalopolitan blockbuster snowstorm,” this major snowstorm impacted the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. Snowfall up to 25 inches fell at Allentown, Pennsylvania. Snowfall amount of 35 inches occurred in parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia at Glen Cary. Windsor Locks, Connecticut, recorded a record 19 inches in 12 hours.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 38/29 there was no rain/snowfall and there was no sunshine. For today the average H/L is now up to 33/19 the record high for the date and the month at Grand Rapids is 69 in 1999. The record low of -21 was set in 1899. The most rainfall of 0.79” was in 1998 the most snow fall of 8.8” was in 1985 The most on the ground was 22” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 45/19.

While we are having one of the warmest starts to any February way back in 1899 it was a different story. Here in Grand Rapids one of the coldest stretches of cold happened. Starting on January 27, 1899 there were 21 days in a row of below average temperatures at Grand Rapids. On 15 of the days it got below zero reaching lows of -20 on January 31st and February 1st -21 on February 10th and 11th -23 on the 12th and -24 on the 13th and 14th Lows were similar in Lansing but at Muskegon lows reached -29 on February 12th and -30 on the 12th To put that into a little perspective the last 3 times it has gotten down to -20 or colder at GR was -22 in 1994, -20 in 1981 and -21 in 1979. With 7 days of -20 or colder 1899 has the most no other winter has more than 1. While 1899 had 15 days with lows of 0 or colder it is not the most at Grand Rapids as 1978 had 19 in recent years 2014 has the most with 11. As for snowfall that February was cold but not very snowy at all as only 3.4” fell at Grand Rapids and 3.6 at Lansing just 5” at Muskegon. There was a total of 75.9” that winter season at Grand Rapids, 47.0 at Muskegon and 49.4 at Lansing. Here is some more information from the cold outbreak of 1899. Nearly three feet of snow buried the nation’s capital, and ice encased steamboats on Lake Michigan. There’s cold—and then there was the Great Arctic Outbreak of February 1899. The bitter cold first hit the West Coast in the first days of February as temperatures reached lows of 33 degrees Fahrenheit in San Diego and 12 degrees in Seattle. The frigid air then barreled east with freezing temperatures reaching as far south as the Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle. On February 11, residents of Fort Logan, Montana. Between February 11 and February 14, the Great Arctic Outbreak set record low temperatures in Grand Rapids (-24 degrees), Wichita (-22 degrees), Oklahoma City (-17 degrees), Atlanta (-9 degrees), Fort Worth (-8 degrees) and Baton Rouge (2 degrees). Even in Florida, there was no vacation from the cold. The temperature in Tallahassee fell to an all-time state record of -2 degrees on February 13 as nearly two inches of snow fell from the Panhandle to Jacksonville. Tampa received the first measurable snowfall recorded in the city’s history and trace amounts fell further down the Gulf Coast. Even in tropical Miami, the mercury dipped below freezing as desperate farmers set fires among their orange groves and wrapped their trees for protection from the cold. Note after the cold in Tallahassee the temperature was back up into the 60’s on the 16th and the 70’s by the 20th Here in Michigan March was cold and snowy but it did really warm up in April with it even reaching 90 degrees at Grand Rapids on April 29th it reached the mid to upper 80’s in other parts of West Michigan.

Yesterday was another record warm day across the area. Record highs were recorded at Grand Rapids 55°, Lansing 60, Muskegon 54°. At Grand Rapids the H/L was 55/39 there was no rain or snowfall. The highest wind was 43 MPH out of the SW. For today the average H/L is 32/19 the record high of 61 was set in 2009 the record low of -21 was set in 1899. Record rainfall of 0.99” was in 1966. The most snow fall of 6.7” fell in 1981 the most on the ground was 23” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 37/25.

Fun fact. Since January 23 every day has been above average. In 1931 every day starting on January 23 to February 9th was above average. February 10, 13 and 14 were below average. But the the rest of the days were above average March 1st was also above average. March was colder than average with a little more snow than average.

I have to say after yesterday and how nice it was I really would rather have it stay mild for March and warm up in April. I work for the local minor league baseball team and it is not fun at the games in April when it is cold.

The highs yesterday were kind of rare for our area. For the whole month of February At Grand Rapids has only had 15 years with highs got warmer in February. At Lansing where records go back to 1863 there have been only 13 years when it has gotten warmer. At Holland there have been only 11 years and at Muskegon only in 3 years has it gotten warmer in February.