WEST MICHIGAN — (May 25, 2014) It was only 14 days ago that there was ice on Lake Michigan and even with over 4 percent of ice on Lake Superior this gorgeous weather has helped warm temperatures in the Great Lakes.
A ridge of high pressure parked right over West Michigan this weekend bringing us gorgeous sunny skies, warm temperatures and calm winds. This beautiful weather has helped water temperatures in Southern Lake Michigan warm quickly but what has been most important is the lack of gusty winds. Light winds keep wave levels down and essentially allow surface water to warm faster since there is no mixing with cooler water in deeper depths.
This calm and warm weather had some models suggesting that lake temperatures in southern Lake Michigan could warm into the mid-60’s by mid-week. It seems as if those forecast models are right on track because water at the southern end of the lake is already into the low to mid-60’s.
Storms at the beginning of the work week may hinder warming slightly but gorgeous weather towards the end of the week will help warm temperatures even further.
