GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Periods of heavy rain are likely to continue throughout the day Thursday, which will push many West Michigan rivers near or above record flooding levels over the next several days.
An area of low pressure will move into the Great Lakes later today and eventually drag a cold front through the region, creating warm and windy conditions that will potentially fuel strong to severe thunderstorms later in the day Thursday.
The map above shows that nearly all of West Michigan is in a slight risk area for severe storms, while the south-central portion of the state is considered a moderate risk for severe storms. The greatest threat would be from damaging straight-line winds, but there is also somewhat of a tornado threat as well.
While we will closely monitor the severe weather situation later today, the biggest widespread issue will continue to be the heavy rain adding to the flooding around West Michigan.
Grand Rapids has recorded more than six inches of rain in the last ten days, and is likely to eventually pass the monthly record of 8.29″ set way back in 1909.
River stages are currently forecast to exceed records in many locations, especially along the Grand River. Click here for the latest river forecasts from the National Weather Service. These forecasts will be adjusted once we know how much rain falls over the next 24 hours. That flooding will peak over the weekend into early next week.
FOX 17 will continue to stay on top of the latest weather developments — click here for live streaming coverage, which will include FOX 17 newscasts and other weather maps throughout the day. Click here for the Weather page, which includes interactive radar and the 7 Day Forecast.
