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Heat and humidity build to start week

Posted at 5:39 PM, Aug 24, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-24 17:39:54-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — While temperatures only made the low/mid 80s on Sunday, you could certainly feel the moisture in the air with dew point temperatures around 70. Dew point is a measure of moisture in the air…the higher the dew point the stickier it feels. When it hits 70 or better, the air is quite tropical with plenty of moisture. Some simply refer to it as humidity.

More heat and humidity will build on Monday and Tuesday as West Michigan starts to tap a south/southwesterly wind. That will help push readings in to the upper 80s to near 90 degrees both days and also increase our shower/t’storm chances as a front sags in to the state. While we are not expecting severe weather with these storms, heavy rain and flooding is possible as slow-moving, training cells over the same area, may produce one to two inches or more of rain in some locations.

If we hit 90 this week, that will be the first time since September 10, 2013 when Grand Rapids reached 94. Prior to that, GR made 92 on August 27, 2013, and for those of us that can recall we had a six-day stretch of 90 or better July 14 – 19, 2013. Only eight days of 90 last year! The last time Grand Rapids went all summer without reaching 90 was way back in 1951. So it indeed is rare NOT to reach 90 or better at least once each summer.

Get the complete West Michigan forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather. Also, Tropical Storm Cristobal has formed in the Atlantic around the Bahamas, Turks, and Caicos Islands. The forecast track is to keep it off-shore of mainland United States this week. Click here for the more from the National Hurricane Center.