westMJim

Happy Leap Day. The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 56/20 that 56 was just after midnight. The was 0.09” of precipitation and 0.02” of snowfall. There was no sunshine. Here in MBY there were several snow showers and at times the ground was covered but it do not stay on the ground long. For today the average H/L is 38/23.

All of the records are for February 29th the record high is 58 set in 2000 the record low of -2 was set in 1980 the record rain fall of 0.58” fell in 2012 the record snowfall of 4.1” fell in 2008. The most snow on the ground for February 29th is 10” in 1912. On the last leap day in 2020 the H/L was 33/17.

New record highs were set across Michigan yesterday. All major locations in Michigan set new record highs. The highs were not only the record for the date but also the new record for the month of February and new records for the warmest for any date in meteorological winter. All in all a very historic day.

The official H/L at Grand Rapids yesterday was 73/50 both were records for the day. There was 0.11” of rainfall the highest wind speed was 38MPH out of the S. The sun was out 71% of the time. For today the average H/L is 38/22 the record high of 60 was set in 2018 and the record low of -12 was set in 2014 the most rainfall of 1.30” fell in 1902 the most snowfall of 9.0” fell in 1900 the most snow on the ground was 18” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 43/33.

There were a few flashes of lightning last night but just 0.17” of rainfall. While most of the night was around 50 it has now fallen down to 28 here in MBY.

Several new record highs for both February and meteorological winter. The 2PM temperature of 72 at Grand Rapids and Lansing have set new record highs for February and meteorological winter. The reading of 66 at Muskegon set a new record for the date but is just shy of the record for February. Will see how that plays out the rest of the day. Here in MBY I now have a reading of 74.

New record high for the date at Grand Rapids and Lansing 68 Holland 70.  I now have a reading of 70 here in MBY.

Some southern lower Michigan weather history

1976: Temperatures soar to the upper 60s during a spell of spring-like weather during the last week of February. Record highs include 62 degrees at Muskegon and 67 at Lansing.

 2023, a winter storm brought a quick burst of heavy snow – exceeding an inch per hour – across Midland, Bay, and Huron Counties which ended up with snowfall totals of 4 to 8 inches.

 1994, the overnight temperature dropped to a frigid -14 degrees in Flint.

Around the USA

1986, It was 99 degrees in Palm Springs, California, the highest temperature on record for February. Palm Springs also reached 99 degrees on February 26, 1986.

The official H/L yesterday was 62/30 (the high in MBY was only 58) there was 89% of possible sunshine. There was no rain/snow. For today the average H/L is 37/22 the record high of 67 was set in 1976 the record low of -12 was set in 1994. The most snow fall of 2.5” fell in 1897 there was 2.0” of snowfall in 2014. 2014 also had the most on the ground with 20” Last year had the most rainfall for the date and the H/L was 34/23 note no snowfall was recorded.

So far this February has a mean temperature of 34.6 at Grand Rapids the warmest February at GR is 34.7. At Lansing the mean so far is 34.5 and the record is 34.5 and at Muskegon the mean is 36.0 and the old record is 35.3 all records were set in 2017. For February the snowfall at GR is 5.6” and for the season 40.1”

The temperature was in the 50’s for most of the overnight hours but it has now fallen to 45 here in MBY. The latest reading at GRR was 52. If it stays above 37 until midnight there will be a new record warm minimum for this date. The current record of 37 was set in 2018.

Some weather history for southern Lower Michigan.

2000: Record-warm weather continues during a week-long spell of balmy weather across Lower Michigan. The temperature hits 66 degrees at Muskegon for a record high. The low temperature at Grand Rapids is 53 degrees, setting a record for the warmest low temperature for the month of February.

 2020, a long-duration snowstorm occurred with widespread reports of 3 to 6 inches of snow over much of the county warning area.

 2019, a snowstorm brought about 2 to 4 inches across areas along and north of I-69, while areas to the south saw 2 inches or less.

 1944, the temperature rose to 68 degrees at Detroit Metro Airport. This is a record maximum temperature for the month of February in Detroit.

Across the USA

1910, Parts of Washington State were amid a storm that produced 129 inches of snow at Laconia between the 24th and the 26th, a single storm record for the state. A series of storms began on the 23rd and led to a deadly avalanche on March 1. Late on the 28th, the snow had changed to rain, setting the stage for disaster.

1972, The Buffalo Creek disaster occurred in the Buffalo Creek Hollow of Logan County in West Virginia. A coal slag dam on the Middle Fork of Buffalo Creek burst, sending a fifty-foot wall of water down a narrow valley killing 125 persons and causing 51 million dollars in damage. Three days of rain atop a six-inch snow cover caused the dam to break.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 50/27 there was no rain/snowfall. The highest wind was 29MPH out of the SW. There was 56% of possible sunshine. For today the average H/L is 37/22 the record high of 64 was set in 1944 the record low of -9 was set in 1963. The most rainfall of 1.33” fell in 2009 and the most snowfall of 4.5” was in 1912. The most snow on the ground was 18” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 40/24.

The overnight low here in MBY was 27 and the current temperature is 33. The forecast low of 48 for tonight would be a new record warmest minimum for the date the current record is 37 set in 2018. The forecast high on Tuesday is 67 and if it makes it to 67 that would tie the current record for the date set in 1976.

4 hours ago, jaster220 said:

Since you lived in the area, when the NWS says "Saginaw", are they actually referring to measurements at MBS or somewhere else?

That would be for MBS. Generally Bay City would get more snow that at the airport and the airport would get more than the city of Saginaw. That storm had a NE wind so it was always windier and most of the time more snow than at the airport. But remember MBS is only 5 miles SW of the west side of Bay City and about 10 miles from the bay. I remember the storm of 1965 was that was as was the 1967, 1973 and 1978 storms. I move to GR in 1984.

Some weather history for Southern Lower Michigan.

1957: Mild and rainy weather prevails with lows in the 40s and highs in the 50s. The low of 47 degrees at Grand Rapids sets a record for the warmest low temperature for the date. Over an inch of rain falls as a cold front moves through.

1965, a snowstorm left all of Southeast Michigan covered under nearly a foot of snow. Saginaw received 17.9 inches, Flint had 12.9 inches, and Detroit had 11.0 inches.

Across the USA

1914,  Heavy snow fell over a good portion of South Carolina and North Carolina on February 24-26, 1914. Snowfall amounts include 18 inches near Society Hill, SC, 14 inches in Fayetteville, NC, 13 inches at Darlington, SC, 11.7 inches at Columbia, SC, 8.1 inches at Charlotte, SC, and 7.2 inches at Greensboro, NC, and 7.0 inches at Raleigh, NC.

1934, An outbreak of six tornadoes killed nineteen in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The hardest-hit areas were Bowden, GA, and Shady Grove, AL. An estimated F4 tornado damaged or destroyed 90 homes, many in the Shady Grove community. One home in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, was picked up, thrown 400 feet, and blown to bits. Six family members were killed in the house. Three deaths occurred in two homes, and one preacher was killed during services.

The official H/L yesterday was 31/14 even with 95% of the possible sunshine with a low dew point and a cold NE wind it felt much colder that that. For today the average H/L is 37/22. The record high of 61 was set in 1976 the record low of -14 was set in 1950. The wettest was 1.43” in 1926 the most snowfall of 8.1” fell in 1935. The most snow on the ground was 17” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 32/23 and there was 0.7” of snowfall.

With clear skies the overnight low here in MBY was 25 and at the current time with clear skies it is 27.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 47/24 there was a reported 0.01” of precipitation that fell as 0.1” of snowfall. Here in MBY there was just a trace of snowfall. There was a reported 48% of possible sunshine. For today the average H/L is 36/21 the record high of 57 was set in 1930 and 1976 the record low of -9 was set in 1989. The most rainfall of 1.09” fell in 2001 the most snowfall of 7.6” fell in 2016 the most snow on the ground was 17” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 29/22 there was a trace of snowfall and 1” on the ground. With clear skies the overnight low and current temperature here in MBY is 15.

It will be cold today and warmer on Sunday through Tuesday then cooler to end the month with the current mean for February at 34.5 and the record warmest February at 34.7 in 2017 we will have to wait and see how this month ends up but is 2nd warmest looks good and maybe even a record warmest at Grand Rapids.

1 hour ago, james1976 said:

Gonna be a hot summer if this pattern doesn't change

Past El Nino winter flipping to La Nina during the summer at Grand Rapids have had some cold springs but they so far have had warm summers (not always hot) Going back to 1950 there have been 6 times when a El Nino flipped to La Nina dure the summer. I found the 6 years. 1973 Strong El Nino to strong La Nina, 1988 strong to strong, 1983 very strong El Nino to weak La Nina. 1998 strong to weak. 1954 weak to weak and 1964 moderate to weak. Here is some more information on that.

https://www.mlive.com/weather/2024/02/summer-forecast-el-nino-switching-to-la-nina-points-toward-a-warm-summer.html

Fun fact. This year is on track to be one of the warmest Februarys on record at Grand Rapids. Of the top ten warmest past Februarys March was colder than February 6 were not much warmer than February and only 1 was much warmer than February.

Some weather history for Southern Lower Michigan.

2000: Warm air surges into Lower Michigan with temperatures reaching the 60s. Grand Rapids sets a record high of 63 degrees and Muskegon hits 60 degrees.

 2003, Port Huron received a foot of snow from a snowstorm that lasted from the 22nd – 23rd.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 57/31 there was no rain/snowfall. The sun was out 60% of the possible time. For today the average H/L is 36/21 the record high of 63 was set in 1984 and 2000 the record low of -10 was set in 2015. The record rainfall of 1.48” fell in 1985 and the record snowfall of 5.4” fell in 1994. The most snow on the ground was 17” in 2014. Last year the H/L was 37/26 and there was a trace of snowfall.

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 62/38 that 62 was the 2^nd warmest high for the dated. There was no rain/snowfall. The sun was out 45% of the possible time. The highest wind speed was 33 MPH out of the W. For today the average H/L is 36/21 the record high of 67 was set in 1930 and the record low of -7 was in 1936. The most rain fall of 1.06” fell in 1980 the most snow fall of 4.9” was in 2010. The most snow on the ground was 18” in 1936. Last year the H/L was 31/26 and there was 1.6” of snowfall.

The 1^st 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 4^th  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.