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Major Warm Up! 80 Or Better Likely This Week

Posted at 6:28 PM, May 04, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-04 18:28:31-04

WEST MICHIGAN (May 4, 2014) — At a time when normal/average high temperatures have us in the low/mid 60s and we’ve experienced quite the brutal winter, it seems everyone is ready to feel the heat! That said, how about 80 degrees or better (briefly) this week?

Meteorologically, here’s what’s happening. A warm front is expected to lift in to southern lower Michigan on Wednesday. This marks the leading edge of warmer, more humid air. It will likely generate a few showers (perhaps some thunderstorms too) as it lifts in to and through the area Wednesday. Afterwards on Thursday, West Michigan will be squarely in the warm sector behind the warm front and in front of the cold front. That means with sunshine, temperatures are likely to soar in to the low/mid 80s from Grand Rapids southward!

The attached snapshot is from one of our computer forecast models at the 5,000 foot level, or what we call the 850 millibar level. Meteorologists use this height to assess air mass movement and how warm it will be at the surface. The map is valid for Thursday afternoon and clearly shows the warmer colors of yellow and orange over the state.  Those colors translate to 16 degrees Celsius about 5,000 feet above the surface. That means about 60 degrees or so. Then, you’ve got to add at least another 15 to 20 degrees for what it would equate to at the surface. That said, 80 or better is likely!

Once the cold front arrives and sweeps through the state on Friday, another round of showers and thunderstorms are likely. Afterwards on Saturday, cooler temperatures and mostly sunny skies are expected. That’s great news for the famous Fifth Third Riverbank Run!

Make sure to get the complete West Michigan forecast by going to www.fox17online.com/weather. Enjoy the warmth and have a pleasant week!