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• Monday showers to make dent in ongoing drought

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Despite a dry start to Monday as many students return to school, showers and thunderstorms will arrive for the second half of the day. RAIN ARRIVES LATE MONDAY Initially, any rain will be quite isolated with only a small potential of a thunderstorm. There is no severe threat in West Michigan. A greater chance of widespread rain and storms will develop late Monday evening into early Tuesday morning. This is the timeframe in which West Michigan has the best potential to pick up rain totals to make a dent in the ongoing drought. Most areas will see around a tenth to quarter of an inch, with locally higher totals possible at the lakeshore. Unfortunately, the heaviest of rain will target Wisconsin and Illinois, areas that have seen double-digit totals over the last two weeks. WATCHING THE DROUGHT The drought monitor released Thursday, Aug. 14, did not show vast improvement to drought conditions. Keep in mind, this latest map does not include most of the heavy rainfall from Tuesday, Aug. 12. Holland-area well owners see supply drop amid drought Taking into account rain from Aug. 12 paired with today's rainfall, some counties will likely see improvement when the latest monitor is released this Thursday. Holland continues to experience a severe drought (level 3 of 5) with a grand total of 2.89 inches this summer. It is now the fourth driest summer on record.

• Hurricane Erin forces evacuations on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, expected to stay offshore

  Hurricane Erin forced tourists to cut their vacations short on North Carolina’s Outer Banks even though the monster storm is expected to stay offshore after lashing part of the Caribbean with rain and wind on Monday. Evacuations were ordered on a couple of barrier islands along the Carolina shore as authorities warned the storm could churn up dangerous rip currents and swamp roads with waves of 15 feet (4.6 meters). Tourists and residents waited for hours in a line of cars Monday at Ocracoke Island’s ferry dock — the only way to leave other than by plane. A red flag warns of dangerous waves on an empty beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after Hurricane Erin passed by near the island on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo) “We definitely thought twice,” said Seth Brotherton, of Catfish, North Carolina, whose weeklong fishing trip ended abruptly. “But they said ‘mandatory’ and that pretty much means, ‘get out of here.’" Forecasters are confident that Erin will turn north and away from the eastern U.S., but it’s still expected to strengthen in the coming days and whip up wild waves and tropical force winds along the coastal islands, Dave Roberts of the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. The storm intensified to a Category 4 with 140 mph (225 kph) maximum sustained winds Monday while it pelted the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the southeast Bahamas, according to the center. Government officials in the Turks and Caicos Islands said all services were suspended on three of its islands and ordered residents there to stay home. By Monday afternoon, the storm was located about 140 miles (220 kilometers) north of Grand Turk Island and about 850 miles (1,370 kilometers) southeast of Cape Hatteras. On North Carolina’s Outer Banks, coastal flooding was expected to begin Tuesday and continue through Thursday. The evacuations that began Monday on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island came at the height of tourist season on the thin stretch of low-lying barrier islands that jut far into the Atlantic Ocean and are increasingly vulnerable to storm surges. A year ago, Hurricane Ernesto stayed hundreds of miles offshore from the U.S. Eastern seaboard yet still produced high surf and swells that caused coastal damage. This time there are concerns that several days of heavy surf, high winds and waves could wash out parts of the main highway, the National Weather Service said. Some routes could be impassible for several days, authorities warned. Scientists have linked the rapid intensification of hurricanes in the Atlantic to climate change. Global warming is causing the atmosphere to hold more water vapor and is spiking ocean temperatures, and warmer waters give hurricanes fuel to unleash more rain and strengthen more quickly. Daniel Pullen, a professional photographer who lives on Hatteras Island, said he’s already lost three days of work shooting family portraits because of the evacuation order. But Pullen, who lives in Buxton, doesn’t plan to evacuate because he could be stuck off the island for days and even weeks if the main road, Highway 12, washes out. “It’s a bit like Russian roulette,” Pullen said. “Do you stay and take the chance of it hitting you? Or do you leave and take the chance of getting stuck off the island for weeks at a time? I would say the majority of Hatteras Island residents can’t afford to stay in a motel for a week or two weeks.” Erin, the year’s first Atlantic hurricane, reached a dangerous Category 5 status Saturday with 160 mph (260 kph) winds before weakening. It is expected to remain a large hurricane into midweek. “You’re dealing with a major hurricane. The intensity is fluctuating. It’s a dangerous hurricane in any event,” the hurricane center’s Richard Pasch said. Bermuda will experience the most severe threat from Erin on Thursday evening, said Phil Rogers, director of the Bermuda Weather Service. By then, waters could swell up to 24 feet (7.3 meters). “Surfers, swimmers and boaters must resist the temptation to go out. The waters will be very dangerous and lives will be placed at risk,” acting Minister of National Security Jache Adams said. Erin’s outer edges hit parts of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rains and tropical storm winds on Sunday and knocked out power to thousands.

• A short La Niña is coming soon. What does that mean for Michigan?

  (NEXSTAR) — The U.S. is on "La Niña watch," according to a new forecast issued by the Climate Prediction Center on Thursday. The Center predicts La Niña will form in the fall, influencing the weather we see in the latter part of the year. This year's La Niña is expected to be short and weak, much like the one we saw last winter. But that doesn't mean its impact on the weather will necessarily be weak. In hindsight, the 2024-25 winter season "bore the telltale signs of a La Niña influence," explained meteorologist Nat Johnson. In a typical La Niña year, the southern half of the country will get drier, warmer weather, while the Pacific Northwest and Ohio Valley get more precipitation than normal. Back to school already? Why the academic year keeps getting shifted earlier That's pretty much what happened last winter, despite the "weak" La Niña. "In particular, most of the southern U.S. and northern Mexico were predicted to be and turned out to be drier than average, with record-dry conditions in southern Arizona and parts of New Mexico," Johnson said. "Wetter conditions were forecasted and did prevail over the northern part of the continent, particularly in Alaska and parts of the Pacific Northwest, as well as much farther south in Central America." A typical La Niña winter pattern. (NOAA) It wasn't a perfect forecast – east Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky and western Virginia got some pretty wet weather – but overall, the La Niña pattern played out, Johnson said. Even though this year's La Niña is expected to dissipate before the end of winter, its influence is still most likely to be visible in the peak winter months, explained Michelle L’Heureux, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. Both La Niña and El Niño tend to have their strongest influence over the weather in the winter. If this year's La Niña turns out to be perfectly typical, the winter precipitation around the country would look like the map below: a dry season for California and the South, but a wetter or snowier season in the blue patches of the northern and Midwest states. One way La Niña could have an influence sooner is on hurricane season, which runs through the end of November. La Niñas are typically associated with a stronger, busier hurricane season. In its updated hurricane forecast released this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said there is a 50% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, a 35% chance of a near-normal season and a 15% chance of a quieter season.

• Beach and Boating forecast: August 14, 2025

  MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — Warmer temperatures are surging back into West Michigan this weekend with several cities making a run at the 90s yet again. Luckily, it will be a touch cooler by the lake. SUNNY START, RAINY END The weekend is rather split in terms of beach weather, but will start off with plenty of sunshine on Friday. High temperatures are expected to reach the 90s inland through Saturday. At the lakeshore, highs will hover in the mid to upper 80s. It will, however, feel a bit warmer, thanks to dew points in the low 70s. All of that moisture in the air will be the fuel for showers and thunderstorms. The first wave is expected to arrive by Saturday afternoon. Rain is still very much needed at the lakeshore since all counties are in a level 1 or 2 drought. Holland, for example, is still trending more than five inches below average for the summer. Rain totals are expected to range from a trace to half inch for most counties. COOLER WATER Lake temperatures fell slightly Thursday as winds continued from the northeast at 5 to 15 miles per hour. Oftentimes, a strong north or east wind can cause upwelling to occur. Wednesday temperatures were near average for this time of year in the mid 70s. By Thursday, most beaches reported upper 60s to low 70s. Warmer temperatures should return over the weekend as winds begin to shift! WIND AND WAVES As the chance for showers and thunderstorms roll in Saturday and Sunday, winds will pick up from the south initially. Behind the front on Sunday, winds will turn to the north. Both weekend days will result in wave heights peaking around 3 feet. Despite the less than ideal conditions for a beach visit, expect yellow flags to fly. TROPICAL STORM ERIN UPDATE Peak Atlantic tropical storm season has arrived with activity starting to pick up. Tropical Storm Erin continues to strengthen with winds currently at 60 miles per hour. The storm is expected to become a major hurricane (category 3) by early next week. Most models indicate the storm will not make landfall in the United States and rather travel further east into the Atlantic Ocean. The Lake Michigan Beach and Boating forecast is sponsored by West Michigan Toyota Dealers and the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

• When does Grand Rapids usually see its last 90-degree temperature of the season?

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — This weekend brings a return of heat and humidity to West Michigan as highs make a leap back into the 90s. On average, Grand Rapids has about 10 days each year where the high makes it up into the 90s. So far in 2025, we're tracking a little ahead of that number with 14 as of Aug. 14. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter If you're ready for cooler temperatures to make their arrival, you likely won't have to wait too much longer. Typically the last 90-degree day occurs near the end of August. A wetter and cooler pattern takes shape as we travel through next week, and we may be able to sustain the more mild temperatures for a while. The end of the month is trending cooler than average throughout the Great Lakes region based on the latest assessment from the Climate Prediction Center. Stay with Storm Team 8 as we cover the incoming heat and changes ahead.

• As Canada wildfires choke US with smoke, Republicans demand action. But not on climate change

  The sternly worded statements and letters are filled with indignation and outrage: Republican U.S. lawmakers say Canada has done too little to contain wildfires and smoke that have fouled the air in several states this summer. “Instead of enjoying family vacations at Michigan’s beautiful lakes and campgrounds, for the third summer in a row, Michiganders are forced to breathe hazardous air as a result of Canada’s failure to prevent and control wildfires,” read a statement last week from the state’s GOP congressional delegation, echoing similar missives from Republicans in Iowa, New York, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. They’ve demanded more forest thinning, prescribed burns and other measures to prevent fires from starting. They've warned the smoke is hurting relations between the countries and suggested the U.S. could make it an issue in tariff talks. But what they haven't done is acknowledge the role of climate change — a glaring and shortsighted omission, according to climate scientists. It also ignores the outsized U.S. contribution to heat-trapping gases from burning fossil fuels like coal and gas that cause more intense heat waves and droughts, which in turn set the stage for more destructive wildfires, scientists say. “If anything, Canada should be blaming the U.S. for their increased fires,” said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. On Tuesday, the Canadian government announced almost $46 million in funding for wildfire prevention and risk assessment research projects. But Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to the federal energy and natural resources minister, said international cooperation is needed. “There’s no people that want to do more about wildfires than Canadians,” Hogan said. “But I think this also underlines the international challenges that are brought on by climate change ... we need to globally tackle this problem.” The country has “been fighting wildfires in this country at unprecedented rates since 2023,” when Canada saw its largest wildfire on record, said Ken McMullen, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. This year’s first fire started in April, one of the earliest on record, and 2025 is now the second-worst year. As of Thursday, more than 700 wildfires were burning across the country, two-thirds of them out of control, with more than 28,000 square miles (72,520 square kilometers) burned in 4,400 wildfires so far this year, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. That's almost five times the surface area that's burned so far in the U.S. this year. Most wildfires are started by people, sometimes on purpose but mostly by mistake, though McMullen said lightning is the culprit in many of Canada's fires, especially in remote areas. McMullen said he has no interest in debating the role of climate change, but data show that something has changed. Sloughs and basins have dried up and water that once lapped at people’s back doors in Canada’s lake communities now is often hundreds of feet away. “People can make up their own mind as to why that is,” he said. “But something clearly has changed.” Denying climate change President Donald Trump has called climate change a hoax — a belief echoed by many in the GOP — and his administration has worked to dismantle and defund federal climate science and data collection, with little to no pushback from Republicans in Congress. He’s proposed to revoke the scientific finding that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare — the central basis for U.S. climate change action. He's declared a national energy emergency to expedite fossil fuel development, canceled grants for renewable energy projects and ordered the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above preindustrial levels. Minnesota state Rep. Elliott Engen, a Republican, said he believes in climate change, but now is not the time to discuss it “because we have folks with asthma who aren’t able to go outside the entirety of the summer.” “That's not an immediate fix for my constituents; that sounds like a blame game without a solution being presented,” said Engen, among a group of GOP lawmakers who asked the International Joint Commission to review Canada’s wildfire management practices. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine said the wildfires are jeopardizing health and air quality in her state, too, but faulted Republicans for failing to meet the crisis head on by acting on climate change. “Rather than accept this reality and work together to find proactive, common-sense solutions for preventing and mitigating these fires, Republicans are burying their heads in the sand,” she said. Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore, a Democrat, criticized her Republican colleagues’ letter to Canada’s U.S. ambassador, saying those “who are in denial about climate change shouldn’t be writing letters prescribing people’s actions to try to contain it.” Difficult solutions McMullen, the Canadian wildfire expert, said battling the fires isn’t as simple as many seem to believe. The country and its territories are vast and fires are often in remote areas where the best — and sometimes only — course of action if there are no residents or structures is to let them burn or “it is going to just create another situation for us to deal with in a year or two or 10 or 20 years from now,” McMullen said. Prescribed burns to clear underbrush and other ignition sources are used in some areas, but aren’t practical or possible in some forests and prairies that are burning, experts said. McMullen has advocated for a Canadian forest fire coordination agency to help deploy firefighters and equipment where they're needed. But as for stopping worsening fires, “I don’t think there’s much they can do,” said University of Michigan climate scientist Jonathan Overpeck. He noted that hotter temperatures are melting permafrost in northern Canada, which dries out and makes the vast boreal forests far more likely to burn. Instead, the two countries should collaborate on climate change solutions "because our smoke is their smoke, their smoke is ours,” Overpeck said. “As long as this trend of warming and drying continues, we’re going to get a worsening problem. “The good news is ... we know what the cause is ... we can stop it from getting worse.” ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

• Tropical Storm Erin expected to become a hurricane this week: NHC

  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tropical Storm Erin is expected to become a hurricane in a few days, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of 11 a.m., Erin is located about 820 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands and is moving toward the west at 23 mph. NHC forecasters said the speedy westward motion will continue for the next several days, followed by a decrease in speed and a gradual turn toward the west-northwest. Gradual strengthening is expected, and Erin is forecast to become a hurricane in the next couple of days. It is likely to reach major hurricane strength this weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph. "Although it is still too early to know exactly what impacts Erin might bring to the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, the risk has increased for Erin to move closer to these islands over the weekend," NHC forecasters wrote. "Interests there should monitor the progress of this storm." At this time there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Northeastern Gulf Disorganized showers and thunderstorms in the north-central Gulf are due to a surface trough. According to NHC, development of this system is not likely as it moves inland later today. Heavy rainfall could produce flash flooding across parts of the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, and southeastern Louisiana over the next day or so, NHC said. Northwestern Atlantic A non-tropical area of low pressure a few hundred miles southeast of Nova Scotia, Canada is producing showers and thunderstorm activity to the west of its center. Some tropical or subtropical development is possible over the next day or so as the system moves near warm waters of the Gulf Stream. According to NHC, by the middle of this week, the system is expected to move northward over cooler waters and end the chances for further development. The chance of formation in the next 48 hours and seven days is 10 percent.

• A look at rain totals, with more on the way Tuesday afternoon

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Much-needed rain moved across West Michigan Tuesday morning, putting a dent in the ongoing drought conditions. Not including the rain that has fallen so far Tuesday, most cities west of US-131 remained several inches below average for the summer. RAIN TOTALS AS OF 3 PM TUESDAY Here is a glimpse at some rain totals so far: Kalamazoo: 0.11 inches Grand Rapids: 0.22 inches Muskegon: 0.31 inches Plainwell: 0.25 inches Grandville: 0.32 inches Sparta: 0.09 inches Lowell: 0.14 inches Kentwood: 0.24 inches Coopersville: 0.29 inches Holland: 0.43 inches (as of 4 a.m. - site is currently offline) STRONG STORMS POSSIBLE TUESDAY AFTERNOON The Storm Prediction Center has maintained a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for most of lower Michigan. While this is the lowest severe threat possible, a few storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Keep an eye on the threat for storms between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dry weather will return late Tuesday into early Wednesday morning. Skies are expected to be clearing out making way for decent viewing of the Perseid meteor shower! WHY DIDN'T THE RAIN REACH WEST MICHIGAN SUNDAY? Widespread flooding occurred in Milwaukee Sunday, leaving behind more than 14 inches of rain in 24 hours. Holland, which is experiencing the driest summer on record, was just over 26 miles away from receiving some much-needed rain. That rain fell apart quickly over Lake Michigan, leaving West Michigan behind with little to nothing. This setup isn't an abnormal one. Overnight, strong winds and moisture fed into the area, thanks to the nocturnal low level jet. The jet often targets states in the Corn Belt driving the moisture just north of West Michigan. The support was simply not there over Lake Michigan for the showers to hold together. Stay with Storm Team 8 for the latest conditions.

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Chief Meteorologist Ellen Bacca (and husband Mark) welcomed their first child over the weekend, with the birth of Piper Sunny. Check out these sweet pictures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurricane Lee continues to slowly track toward the United States. Click here for the latest on intensity and path<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday brought plenty of sunshine and calm conditions. Bill’s Blog dives into what is currently the calmest day of 2023.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEATHER WEAR<\/strong>
Rain Jacket
Umbrella<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY<\/strong>
Widespread Rain Developing
Pockets of Locally Heavy Rain
HIGH:<\/strong> 67
LOW:<\/strong> 55
WINDS: SE 5-10 mph<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUNRISE<\/strong> 7:17 a.m.
SUNSET<\/strong> 7:59 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY<\/strong> Take along the rain jacket and umbrella as you head out the door, as widespread rain will be rolling through the area today. The most concentrated rain will prevail during the morning hours, with the rain becoming more scattered in nature late in the day. Amounts will range from 0.10-0.50+ and will likely be localized. Otherwise, expect overcast skies and highs in the mid-upper 60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TUESDAY<\/strong> – WEDNESDAY<\/strong> Scattered showers continue for most of Tuesday before tapering off Wednesday morning. Cooler temperatures arrive with highs in the low to mid-60s. It will be breezy as winds come from the north at 10-20 mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THURSDAY <\/strong> Cool and quiet conditions will prevail with more sunshine and highs in the mid-upper 60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRIDAY <\/strong> Plenty of sunshine is on tap, with slightly warmer air returning to the area. Afternoon highs will reach the mid-70s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEEKEND WEATHER<\/strong> Sunshine will continue to dominate over the weekend, with highs in the low-mid 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LOOKING AHEAD<\/strong> The overall pattern remains mostly dry and warmer than “average” into the fourth week of September, with the 8 to 14 day outlook placing West Michigan in a drier and warmer-than-normal pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n