May 2024 Observations and Discussion

[Andie]

1.5” rain.
Maybe more as it was blowing hard for awhile.  
Everything looks great today. Quick response to that rain and lightning charging the atmosphere.  

[Black Hole]

It's certainly looking warmer the next few days with upper 80s and some humidity pushing heat indices into the lower 90s for a few days. 

 

The next severe chance here is technically Sunday night, but more probably on Tuesday. A cold front will provide lift beneath an anomalous upper level jet. We will have massive CAPE and great wind shear, so certainly plenty of potential. 

[hawkstwelve]

Well we certainly over performed today, clocking in with a sizzling 92. Still getting used to those types of temperatures in May but at the same time we love the warm nights. 68 at 1AM. Just something nice about going out at night and feeling a warm breeze. 

We went to the Canaries baseball team's opening night, for my son's birthday party. We had a blast and it was the perfect weather for an evening baseball game. They even had a fireworks show after we won. Pretty good night!

[westMJim]

I now have all my summer garden in. This year I planted my usual tomatoes and cucumbers in the back yard and in the front yard I have put flowers in several planters with petunias, germaniums, marigolds gladiolas and nasturtiums. While not a lot I love eating tomatoes and cucumbers off the vine and the flowers make the front yard look good. The planting was about a week earlier than some past years.

We are now just past the halfway mark for May. So far this May the mean at Grand Rapids is 60.1 that is a departure from average of +3.3.  The high so far this month is 80 on the 13^th and the low so far is 40 on the 12^th. If that low of 40 holds for the rest of the month it will be the 4^th warmest minimum for any May at Grand Rapids. There has been 2.18” of rainfall so far that is +0.09” from average. There have been 83 Heating Degree Days that is a departure of -65 there have been 6 Cooling Degree Days for a departure of -7. This is the warmest start to May since May of 2018 so not that long ago. That mean of 60.1 so far is well down the list of past warm May’s the top warmest May’s at Grand Rapids are (1977 65.7°) (1896 65.3) (1982 65.0) (2018 64.8) (1991 64.6) and 1922 64.0.

 

Yesterday was yet another great late spring day at Grand Rapids with a H/L of 79/53 there was no rain fall. The sun was out 49% of the possible time. The highest wind gust was 26 MPH out of the W. For today the average H/L is now up to 71/49 the record high of 90 was set in 1962 the record low of 28 was set in 1973 the most rainfall of 3.31” fell in 2000 last year the H/L was 69/38.

[Timmy Supercell]

Seems like this May could end up a bit wetter than the last couple out here in the Charleston CWA. Living up to its reputation for a top rainfall month on average. In 2022, July/Aug and February were my wet ones, and I remember Jan 2023 having more than 5" of rainfall. Many of last year's months ended below average on precip. 

The warmest parts of the year are coming up. Looking like no more sub-50 degree lows happen until September. During the next period of warmth I even see an upper 60's low Tue night before more storms roll in. 

61 right now and thick fog.

[chescowxman]

Today looks to be our last chilly and dreary day with temps struggling to no higher than the mid 60's. The sun returns tomorrow. Our next chance of rain after today looks to be Wednesday night. Some lower spots could approach 80 degrees on Wednesday before we fall back to near normal temps around the mid 70's toward the Memorial Day Weekend!

Chester County wide records for today: High 95 degrees on this date back in 1962 at Devault 1W, Coatesville 1SW and Phoenixville/ Record low occurred just last year with a 29.4 degree temperature in Warwick Township (2023) / Rain 2.68" at Marshallton (2015)

[Hawkeye]

The season is definitely changing.  The dry air and chilly mornings have been replaced with a consistent higher dewpoint and mild mornings.  Today we're in the 80s with a dew in the 60s.  It feels like summer.

We could use some rain.  Our rainfall was only about average over the last month and recently it has dried out.  Next week looks wetter again, but I'm afraid storms will be splitting north and south of me.  Some models have been teasing that.

[hawkstwelve]

12z Euro sure looked wet for the central US.

[Andie]

Warm today. 92.  Another tomorrow through Tuesday.  Then we have a a 30-50% chance of rain Mon and Tues. 

So far a nice Spring pattern.  Beautiful day today.  

[westMJim]

Yesterday was a summer like day with the official H/L at Grand Rapids of 83/49. There was no rainfall and the sun was out 90% of the possible time. The average wind speed was 4.1 MPH. For today the average H/L is 71/50 the record high of 91 was set in 1977 and the record low of 30 was set in 2002. The most rainfall of 2.88” fell in 1938. Last year the H/L was 68/50 and there was 0.02” of rain.

The overnight low here in MBY was summer like 63 and the current temperature is 68 with clear skies

[Tom]

Hello from the "Valley of the Sun!"....Home Sweet Home...it was fun seeing my family back in Chicago but it was also sorta chaotic living with my siblings and their kiddos, esp my younger sisters nieces...girls are certainly a handful!  While it was a different experience coming back to my old neighborhood and not staying in my old home, I had the vibe like I was on vacation in a weird way.  Nevertheless, I'm planning on visiting again this summer sometime.

Yesterday, PHX torched to a season high of 104F as Nature reminded me that it gets HOT in May!  TBH, it didn't feel overwhelmingly hot with the nice breeze.

[Clinton]

Yesterday was summer like here I had a high of 88 with some humidity.  More of the same expected today with highs in the upper 80s.  Cams show a weakening line of storms here late tonight and some scattered activity tomorrow.  Tuesday looks to be the best chance of severe weather here in what looks like a very active week.

 

[Tom]

@Hawkeye @OttumwaSnomow...Storm Magnet must be in use...E IA folks are under the gun!

 

[Tom]

The fire season has fired up...kinda close to my place...

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-wildfires/2024/05/18/wildcat-fire-spurs-road-closure-evacuations-in-tonto-national-forest/73755320007/

 

 

 

[Clinton]

Looks like the ingredients are there for all modes of severe weather Tuesday.

 

 

[Tom]

Question, have any of you around the GL's been to this Hidden Gem up near northern Lower MI???  This looks like a wonderful place to visit in the summer...it's not far from @jaster220 new place...

 

 

[CentralNebWeather]

Rain coming through in waves this morning. Already 0.60” and now round 2 or 3 is here. Looks like a great chance to total over 1.0” this morning. More storms tomorrow night into Tuesday. 
 

Side note. Our youngest son graduates from high school today. So proud of him. He will give the welcome at the ceremony today, as he is the student council president. The rest of our school district ends the school year Wednesday morning. 

[westMJim]

8 minutes ago, Tom said:

Question, have any of you around the GL's been to this Hidden Gem up near northern Lower MI???  This looks like a wonderful place to visit in the summer...it's not far from @jaster220 new place...

 

 

I have been to the area several times back when I used to go to TC. The lake is very deep and it is one of the few inland lakes that does not freeze over every winter. 

[Andie]

2 hours ago, Tom said:

Yesterday, PHX torched to a season high of 104F as Nature reminded me that it gets HOT in May!  TBH, it didn't feel overwhelmingly hot with the nice breeze.

PHX is too hot for me.  Tucson is more my pace.  A quick escape to the Mt. Lemmon and it’s cool and green.  Our family is just on the outskirts of the National Saguaro Forest. Plenty of wildlife and a little snow in the winters some years.  

[chescowxman]

After another 0.09" of rain yesterday here in East Nantmeal we are way above normal rainfall for the year and almost normal so far here in May. Great news for the local farmers!  Today should see the sun returning at times with temps not too far from normal in the low to mid 70's. Sun from Monday through Wednesday with temps warming into the low 80's. Shower chances by Thursday before the sun returns with temps about normal for Memorial Day weekend.
Records for today across Chester County: High 96 degrees at Phoenixville (1962) of note all 9 reported weather locations on that date in 1962 had highs between 93 and 96 degrees. Record cold was 33 degrees at Kennett Square 2S (2009) / Record rain was the 4.85" that fell in West Chester (1900). All 4 reporting locations that day recorded big rain totals with Phoenixville 4.72" / Coatesville 1SW 3.46" and Kennett Square 2.75"

[Hoosier]

2 hours ago, Clinton said:

Looks like the ingredients are there for all modes of severe weather Tuesday.

 

 

Yeah, definitely has potential to be a rather significant day.

[Hoosier]

Put the A/C on yesterday evening to get the warmth out of the house and discovered that it's broken.  Not the most ideal timing given the forecast highs tomorrow and Tuesday, but at least it's not mid-summer.  

[Tom]

2 hours ago, CentralNebWeather said:

Rain coming through in waves this morning. Already 0.60” and now round 2 or 3 is here. Looks like a great chance to total over 1.0” this morning. More storms tomorrow night into Tuesday. 
 

Side note. Our youngest son graduates from high school today. So proud of him. He will give the welcome at the ceremony today, as he is the student council president. The rest of our school district ends the school year Wednesday morning. 

Congrats!  It's amazing how fast time flies and seeing your kids grow up.  You will be an empty nester soon I assume?  Flagstaff is calling you!

[Tom]

2 hours ago, westMJim said:

I have been to the area several times back when I used to go to TC. The lake is very deep and it is one of the few inland lakes that does not freeze over every winter. 

That's fascinating it doesn't freeze.  Is it because of the water being so pure and clean?  I skied up in Heavenly Tahoe and that lake is formed by an old glacier and it also doesn't freeze completely.  If I remember correctly, its due to the water being so pure and clean.  You can see 30 feet down!  I took a boat tour that had a glass bottom and the visibility of the water was amazing.  This is a memory I will never forget.

[Tom]

1 hour ago, Andie said:

PHX is too hot for me.  Tucson is more my pace.  A quick escape to the Mt. Lemmon and it’s cool and green.  Our family is just on the outskirts of the National Saguaro Forest. Plenty of wildlife and a little snow in the winters some years.  

There are some parks I want to go and see down there by Mt. Lemmon.  I remember driving up the winding roads and the temp dropping quickly in the middle of summer.  Nice place to visit for sure.

[Andie]

I love Flagstaff.  I recall when it was very small and no crowds.  A family member had a cabin there. 
We need to get back to Tucson. I fear it will be for a funeral.  But need to visit with everyone while they’re here.  So sad to see it change.  

DFW area is gorgeous right now  High at 90, breezy, not a cloud to be seen.   
Some rain would be welcomed soon   But it’s a gorgeous day today  Golfers practically skipping down the course.

 

[CentralNebWeather]

Have had much hotter graduation days than today. Only 57 and cloudy as the rain has dissipated and moved northeast. Looks like around 1.0” total. Things are lush around here for sure. 

[Timmy Supercell]

The fog was so thick this morning, cleared by 9am though and its been mostly sunny for hours. Now 83 after a low of 59. Might get two near 90 degree days Mon/Tue.

[CentralNebWeather]

Graduation done. Only issue, at about 1:30 a hail storm came through that was very loud on the roof of the gym along with heavy rain. People that were in their cars waiting to come in for the 2 pm ceremony said marble size. I did not see any damage to vehicles, but will do more inspections tomorrow. Can’t do more damage to roofs and siding, that is all getting replaced from the big hail storm 2 weeks ago. 

[CentralNebWeather]

[Stormy]

Looks like a big supercell blew up in n. KS as well as things begin to ramp up.

Yesterday was warm and breezy with a high of 88⁰. Many towns hit 90⁰. And it's in the 80⁰s again today even after a cool front passed through last evening. 

For rainfall, I like what the latest RAP is showing as well as the 18Z HRRR and a few other cams. But many others don't look great as of now, but I have a feeling we'll get at least one good round of storms. 

I never posted my rainfall amount, but from the most recent event on Monday and Tuesday of last week I got 0.76", bringing my May total to just over 3". That's actually near normal as of now. I'm also finally just out of the drought area as of last Thursday's drought monitor update! It's been at least 1 year since we're drought free. But it's not overly wet currently and could use more rain.

[Clinton]

Severe thunderstorm watch here until 2am.  Storm chances are looking better tomorrow also.

[CentralNebWeather]

8 hours ago, Tom said:

Congrats!  It's amazing how fast time flies and seeing your kids grow up.  You will be an empty nester soon I assume?  Flagstaff is calling you!

Thanks @Tom, time seems to move quicker the older you get. We’d love a higher elevation in the west. Unfortunately, my wife’s father has dementia that is getting worse. Her mother still has her health, but needs some help from my wife. Trying to keep him out of a nursing home for as long as possible. Though, that time is probably coming quicker than we think. Dementia/Alzheimers is just a terrible thing to see. Long story short, we are staying around here for family needs, but down the road we may relocate. 

[OttumwaSnomow]

3 hours ago, Stormy said:

Looks like a big supercell blew up in n. KS as well as things begin to ramp up.

Yesterday was warm and breezy with a high of 88⁰. Many towns hit 90⁰. And it's in the 80⁰s again today even after a cool front passed through last evening. 

For rainfall, I like what the latest RAP is showing as well as the 18Z HRRR and a few other cams. But many others don't look great as of now, but I have a feeling we'll get at least one good round of storms. 

I never posted my rainfall amount, but from the most recent event on Monday and Tuesday of last week I got 0.76", bringing my May total to just over 3". That's actually near normal as of now. I'm also finally just out of the drought area as of last Thursday's drought monitor update! It's been at least 1 year since we're drought free. But it's not overly wet currently and could use more rain.

Wow, seems you have been missed. I have 4.93" in May. And several  folks I know  west of me around albia have quite a bit more.  Im at 15 inches since March 1st. 

[Andie]

92 today. Another tomorrow.  
Summer is coming your way. 
Brace yourself.  
To get some things done outside tomorrow I’ll have to start early. 
Not ready for this but then, Mother Nature never asks permission.  

[Andie]

1 hour ago, CentralNebWeather said:

Thanks @Tom, time seems to move quicker the older you get. We’d love a higher elevation in the west. Unfortunately, my wife’s father has dementia that is getting worse. Her mother still has her health, but needs some help from my wife. Trying to keep him out of a nursing home for as long as possible. Though, that time is probably coming quicker than we think. Dementia/Alzheimers is just a terrible thing to see. Long story short, we are staying around here for family needs, but down the road we may relocate. 

It runs in my mother’s family. No doubt I may develop it.  It’s one of the reason I stay involved in science and keep learning but it is quite possible.  My mother simply vanished before my eyes. 
Really frightening to know I’m vulnerable. 

[westMJim]

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 85/56 there was no rainfall the sun was out 91% of the time. The highest wind gust was 21 MPH out of the W. For today the average H/L is 71/50 the record high of 92 was set in 1977 and the record low of 30 was set in 2002. The most rainfall of 3.39” fell in 1996 last year the H/L was 67/46.

 The overnight low here in MBY was 52 and at the current time it is cloudy and 56.

 

[chescowxman]

Great weather to start the week as long as allergies are not a problem! We should see temps well into the 70's today and 80's tomorrow. Next shot at showers looks to be around Thursday.

Chester County wide records for today: High 98 degrees at West Chester (1962) / Low 32 degrees also at West Chester (2002) / Rain 4.89" at Coatesville 1SW (1894)

[Tom]

Looks like @Hawkeye got hit pretty good last night with a couple rounds of storms...

 

[westMJim]

19 hours ago, Tom said:

That's fascinating it doesn't freeze.  Is it because of the water being so pure and clean?  I skied up in Heavenly Tahoe and that lake is formed by an old glacier and it also doesn't freeze completely.  If I remember correctly, its due to the water being so pure and clean.  You can see 30 feet down!  I took a boat tour that had a glass bottom and the visibility of the water was amazing.  This is a memory I will never forget.

Here is some information on Torch Lake.

Geography and Hydrography

Torch Lake has a length of 19 miles (31 kilometers), which means it’s the longest inland lake in Michigan. It also has a surface area of 18,770 acres (76 square kilometers), which means it’s the largest inland lake in the state as well. When it comes to width, it’s 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) wide, and it has an average depth of 111 feet (34 meters), which makes it the deepest inland lake in Michigan and the largest by volume. 

You’ll find this gem 17 miles (27 kilometers) northwest of Traverse City and it’s separated by narrow strips of land. If it wasn’t for these narrow strips of land, it would be a part of Lake Michigan. Torch Lake is part of the Chain of Lakes, which runs for 75 miles (120 kilometers). 

The Chain of Lakes begins with Six Mile Lake, which is located in northern Antrim County. This lake is connected with Lake Bellaire, from which the Grass River flows into Clam Lake, which drains into Torch Lake through the Clam River. Torch River flows into Lake Skegemog and it opens into Elk Lake, and this is the river that drains Torch Lake. Elk Lake then flows into the Grand Traverse Bay on its east side and 60% of the surface water in this bay comes from the Chain of Lakes. 

One interesting thing about Torch Lake is that it remains cold during the summer, but that’s because it’s so deep. Shallow areas that are close to the shore will be warmer, of course, so that’s something to note. Even though the waters are cold all year round, Torch Lake doesn’t freeze during winter, which means you can visit at any time of the year. 

Here is the whole article

 https://www.lakepedia.com/lake/torch.html