It isn’t rare, but it is a bit unusual to hit 70 degrees in the month of November.
A strong push of warm air from the south across West Michigan on Sunday sent many thermometers skyrocketing to 70 or better. The record for Grand Rapids on November 11 is 73, we hit 71. Muskegon tied their record set way back in 1911 making it to 70.
It’s not rare to hit 70 in November, but it doesn’t happen that often. According to the National Weather Service, Grand Rapids has only made 70 degrees 12 times in the past 30 years. If we don’t count the times that included two or three days in a row, then it only hit 70 six times. That means 24 out of the last 30 Novembers we have NOT reached 70. Back in 2008 Grand Rapids hit 70 degrees four times, but the latest 70 degree reading in the month of November came back on the 23rd in 1931 and the 13th in 1989. So it does happen, but it’s not likely that we’ll see temps this warm again this year.
We also saw very windy conditions associated with this system and wind advisories were hoisted for all counties along and west of the U.S. 131 corridor. Winds were sustained from the south at 15 – 25 mph with gusts of 40/45 mph. Muskegon and Holland reported wind gusts of 45, while Ludington recorded a gust of 49 mph. The strongest non-thunderstorm gust was tallied in Hudsonville at 58 mph. Gale warnings were posted on Lake Michigan with five to eight foot waves.
This strong cold front that pulled up the unusually warm air this past weekend will also pull down some unusually cold air behind it for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. In fact, West Michigan may see some light lake-effect snow showers on Monday afternoon/evening as sharply colder air pours across Lake Michigan and gets a little lake-effect going. At this point, only accumulations on grassy areas or colder surfaces are likely.
The attached photo was submitted by FOX 17 viewer Tammy Resner Chapin and snapped Sunday afternoon along the South Haven pier. Don’t forget you can always post your photos on the FOX 17 Facebook page, or email directly at weather@fox17online.com. We will eventually warm back to around 50 or so by weeks end with generally uneventful weather after Monday. Get the complete forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather. Have a pleasant week!
