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• Planetary waves linked to wild summer weather have tripled since 1950, study finds

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Climate change has tripled the frequency of atmospheric wave events linked to extreme summer weather in the last 75 years and that may explain why long-range computer forecasts keep underestimating the surge in killer heat waves, droughts and floods, a new study says. In the 1950s, Earth averaged about one extreme weather-inducing planetary wave event a summer, but now it is getting about three per summer, according to a study in Monday's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Planetary waves are connected to 2021's deadly and unprecedented Pacific Northwest heat wave, the 2010 Russian heatwave and Pakistan flooding and the 2003 killer European heatwave, the study said. “If you’re trying to visualize the planetary waves in the northern hemisphere, the easiest way to visualize them is on the weather map to look at the waviness in the jet stream as depicted on the weather map,” said study co-author Michael Mann, a University of Pennsylvania climate scientist. Planetary waves flow across Earth all the time, but sometimes they get amplified, becoming stronger, and the jet stream gets wavier with bigger hills and valleys, Mann said. It's called quasi-resonant amplification or QRA. This essentially means the wave gets stuck for weeks on end, locked in place. As a result, some places get seemingly endless rain while others endure oppressive heat with no relief. “A classic pattern would be like a high pressure out west (in the United States) and a low pressure back East and in summer 2018, that’s exactly what we had,” Mann said. “We had that configuration locked in place for like a month. So they (in the West) got the heat, the drought and the wildfires. We (in the East) got the excessive rainfall.” “It's deep and it's persistent,” Mann said. “You accumulate the rain for days on end or the ground is getting baked for days on end.” The study finds this is happening more often because of human-caused climate change, mostly from the burning of fossil fuels, specifically because the Arctic warms three to four times faster than the rest of the world. That means the temperature difference between the tropics and the Arctic is now much smaller than it used to be and that weakens the jet streams and the waves, making them more likely to get locked in place, Mann said. “This study shines a light on yet another way human activities are disrupting the climate system that will come back to bite us all with more unprecedented and destructive summer weather events,” said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center who wasn't involved in the research. “Wave resonance does appear to be one reason for worsening summer extremes. On top of general warming and increased evaporation, it piles on an intermittent fluctuation in the jet stream that keeps weather systems from moving eastward as they normally would, making persistent heat, drought, and heavy rains more likely,” Francis said. This is different than Francis' research on the jet stream and the polar vortex that induces winter extremes, said Mann. There's also a natural connection. After an El Nino, a natural warming of the central Pacific that alters weather patterns worldwide, the next summer tends to be prone to more of these amplified QRA waves that become locked in place, Mann said. And since the summer of 2024 featured an El Nino, this summer will likely be more prone to this type of stuck jet stream, according to Mann. While scientists have long predicted that as the world warms there will be more extremes, the increase has been much higher than what was expected, especially by computer model simulations, Mann and Francis said. That's because the models “are not capturing this one vital mechanism,” Mann said. Unless society stops pumping more greenhouse gases in the air, “we can expect multiple factors to worsen summer extremes,” Francis said. “Heat waves will last longer, grow larger and get hotter. Worsening droughts will destroy more agriculture.”

• Heat and humidity to linger beyond the weekend

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Intense heat and high humidity are set to continue into the first part of the upcoming week in West Michigan. HEAT This weekend is on track to be West Michigan's warmest since June 2018. A heat advisory remains in effect for much of West Michigan through Monday night, as heat indices are expected to reach 100 degrees. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties near the Indiana state line until Tuesday night where the heat index may peak closer to105 degrees. Grand Rapids is on track to reach a high of 95 both Sunday and Monday. Grand Rapids hasn't had a 95 degree temperature since June 2022. The current stretch of heat is around a once-every-three-year occurrence for West Michigan. High temperatures likely won't top records, but low temperatures will - only dipping into the upper 70s overnight toppling several record warm low temperatures. Meanwhile, with a breezy southwest wind, lakeshore communities will continue to be notably cooler. Beaches in Grand Haven, Muskegon, Pentwater and Ludington may only see air temperatures rise into the lower 80s as the wind blows off the cooler lake. HUMIDITY Temperatures in the middle 90s Sunday will once again be compounded by excessive humidity. Dew points are expected to approach or exceed 70 degrees for another day. The high humidity will continue to drive heat indices up to around 100 degrees Sunday, and potentially Monday and Tuesday. Even later in the week, as air temperatures cool into the middle and upper 80s, heat indices will likely continue to approach or exceed 90 degrees. WAVES Southwest winds won't be quite as pronounced Sunday, but will still be enough to produce dangerous rip currents along the lakeshore. Waves will likely reach 2-5 feet south of Holland, and 3-6 feet north, where the southwest wind will more directly blow waves onto the shore. A mix of yellow and red flags are anticipated, and rip currents will likely be most pronounced near breakwaters and piers. The full beach and boating forecast for the weekend can be found here.

• Tips for staying cool and healthy as West Michigan heats up

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — An upcoming heat wave over the weekend and into early next week could provide dangerous heat-related illnesses to people and their pets, unless certain practices are taken, authorities say. Due to sunny skies and rising humidity, temperatures over the weekend will soar into the mid- to upper 90s. This could be the hottest stretch we've seen since 2017, with four straight days forecasted above 92 degrees. Overnight lows in the mid- to upper 70s could even break records, leaving little relief from the heat. “It’s gonna be hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk. It’s gonna be just that hot,” said Carolyn Likely of Grand Rapids, who visited a local ice cream shop with her granddaughter Friday. Carolyn Likely's granddaughter enjoys ice cream on June 20, 2025. For Likely, the plan this weekend is hydrating, cranking the air conditioning and enjoying a tasty cold treat. “After all that snow, and the cold, I'm ready for some heat. Bring it on," she said. Extreme heat moves into West Michigan this weekend To stay safe, the Kent County Health Department recommends individuals stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, check on family members and avoid outdoor activity in the afternoon. "Heat-related illness can develop quickly and escalate into a medical emergency,” Dr. Kristin Oldenberg, medical director at the KCHD, said in a statement. “Infants, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions are especially vulnerable. As the temperatures rise, we’re urging everyone to stay hydrated, limit exertion, and take care of those around them." For pets, best practices include bringing animals indoors, providing cool drinking water, keeping out of parked vehicles and avoiding hot surfaces, like pavement. The Kent County Animal Shelter reminded pet owners that signs of overheating, like difficulty breathing, can develop in animals, too. "These conditions can be life-threatening for animals without proactive, intentional care," shelter Director Angela Hollinshead said in a statement. "We're urging all pet owners to plan ahead to protect their animals from the elements and want residents to know they can contact Animal Control at 616-632-7310 if they see otherwise." One hot-day hot spot expected to draw crowds this weekend are the Grand Rapids city pools and splash pads. Although Richmond Park Pool is expected to remain closed until late next week, both the Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Briggs Park pools will be open through the weekend. There are also 15 splash pads sprinkled around the city. Richmond Park Pool opening delayed due to mechanical problem “We will be very active all weekend long helping the community stay cool,” Laura Cleypool, assistant director of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, said. “Above and beyond anything the city has to offer, stay hydrated watch the temperature, be aware of your pets and young children. So there's just a lot of opportunity in the park system with shade and the ability to still be able to get out and do some recreation even though we'll be battling to heat.” The Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pool in Grand Rapids on June 20, 2025. A child on the water slide at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pool in Grand Rapids on June 20, 2025. Cleypool reminded the community that each pool has a capacity limit, so come early and expect lines. If you need to get out of the heat, you can visit one of the several different "cooling centers" around the Grand Rapids area. For a list of all eight locations, see the graphic below. The Grand Rapids Public Library is one of the designated cooling centers. They are giving away free water bottles and welcoming people in who need a safe place to spend the day. “We have a wonderful selection of books, videos, graphic novels, a wonderful children section, great places to relax and spend time with family and friends,” said John McNaughton, the executive director of the Grand Rapids Public Library. “Generally when temperatures get this extreme, I think it's really easy to forget how quickly you can overheat, especially if you're out on the weekends looking for activities with your family, it's really important to recognize that heat can overtake you rather quickly.” Ask Ellen: When is Lake Michigan warm enough to swim? For information on Ottawa County cooling centers, view their list of locations. Kalamazoo County has also released a list of cooling centers. Starting Saturday, the city of Kalamazoo will also be opening several hydrants daily between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. to help residents beat the heat. The city also reminded people they can cool off at splash pads, though it noted Kik Pool will be closed to the public Saturday for a swim meet. For information on Calhoun County cooling centers, see this Facebook post. The Salvation Army also reminded that all of its sites around West Michigan serve as cooling centers during regular business hours. How are you beating the heat? Submit your weather photos to woodtv.com/reportit.

• ‘Heat dome’ to bring scorching temps to much of US: Where will it be hottest?

  (NEXSTAR) – A “heat dome” is bringing scorching temperatures and oppressive humidity to the Central and Eastern portions of the country this weekend, just in time to mark the start of summer. The National Weather Service says excessive heat is expected to hit the Plains region on Friday before spreading to the Midwest and Great Lakes. These conditions are expected to continue through next week, bringing excessive heat to the Ohio Valley and the East Coast. “A lot of those folks have been saying, where’s summer? Well, buckle up, because it’s coming,” said Tom Kines, a meteorologist at the private weather company AccuWeather. What should your thermostat be set at during summer? A heat dome, as explained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a phenomenon created when high-pressure atmospheric conditions move slowly over a region, “capping” and allowing heat to build. Domes, too, “can linger for days to weeks,” NOAA writes. Daytime temperatures are expected to break 100 degrees F in the Plains beginning Friday, with surrounding areas to the east, west and south in the 90s, the National Weather Service forecasts. Dangerous temperatures continue throughout the region Saturday and Sunday, bringing 90-degree temperatures eastward to the Midwest, Ohio Valley and coastal regions. The heat continues to shift east on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. “While the hottest temperatures are likely this weekend into the first half of next week, a moderate risk (greater than 40% chance) of extreme heat continues into later next week across portions of the Ohio Valley as well as the Mid-Atlantic into the Carolinas,” the National Weather Service wrote in a recent alert. Moisture blown northward from the Gulf of Mexico will bring humidity to the affected regions, too, according to Jacob Asherman, an NWS Weather Prediction Center meteorologist who spoke with the Associated Press. While this type of humidity is typical this time of year, Kines, of AccuWeather, said moist air in the affected regions could make temperatures feel as much as 20 degrees hotter than what the forecast shows. NOAA’s predictions for summer 2025 are looking even hotter High temperatures can also pose health risks for vulnerable populations, including the young, the elderly and those working or living outdoors. NOAA officials urge those living in areas with the highest heat risks to learn to stay safe amid hot conditions and to recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses. Minimizing direct sun exposure, wearing loose and light-colored clothing, staying hydrated and spending time in air-conditioned spaces, if possible, are also advised during extreme heat, NWS says. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• Ask Ellen: Mirages, hovering ships and city lights on Lake Michigan

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The atmosphere can often play optical tricks on us, like the mirages that can sometimes form over Lake Michigan. Due to density differences in layers of air, viewers have sometimes reported seeing floating ships or city lights from Chicago or Milwaukee. A mirage near Silver Lake, Michigan. (Courtesy Kelly Koster) Why do mirages happen over Lake Michigan? Have you ever put a straw inside a glass of water and looked at it from the side? The appearance of the straw's position will change. How we see things with our eyes changes depending on the density of the air or liquid we are looking through. When air has very different temperature and humidity values, it can cause a similar distortion, making objects look like they are in a different location. Mirages on Lake Michigan usually happen on very warm late spring days when the water is still cold and the wind is very light. This warm, dry air sits on a layer of cold, moist air changes our visual perspective of objects on Lake Michigan or across the lake. The difference in density between the two air layers is enough to make ships seem to hover in the air or even invert. A great example of this happened in 2020 when buildings in Chicago appeared to hover above the lake, inverted upside down. Amy Lamberg, West Olive Josiah Huisman, Grand Haven In the evening or at night, the refraction of light can sometimes show the Milwaukee skyline from our shore, something that should be impossible due to the curvature of the Earth and is only made possible on special occasions — like the above example on May 27, 2025. So if you spot ethereal ships, inverted boats, floating buildings, or sudden cityscapes, check the science: You could be spotting a superior mirage (floating object) or a fata morgana mirage (inverted object).

• Beach and Boating forecast: June 19, 2025

  MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — Wednesday night brought a round of showers and thunderstorms into West Michigan. Another, less severe round is expected to kick off the weekend. FRIDAY STORM CHANCE The Storm Prediction Center has issued a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for severe weather on Friday. While the chance for strong to severe storms is very low, scattered rain showers in the morning, followed by a larger swath of rain in the afternoon is likely. A few of the rain showers could have some gusty winds, especially at the lakeshore. Behind this batch of rain, get ready for summer! The heat is on next week. STREAK OF 90s AHEAD Beginning on Saturday, high temperatures will rise into the 90s inland. At the lakeshore, it will be a touch cooler with most beaches expected to reach the mid to upper 80s. With dew points in the upper 60s and low 70s, heat indices are expected to rise into the 90s at the lakeshore on Monday. Further inland, it will be much warmer with triple digit feels like temperatures! The wind will largely be the reason it is cooler at the lakeshore. While many may want to take a dip into the lake, dangerous conditions are expected. RED FLAGS FLYING A Beach Hazard Statement was issued for Thursday morning and early afternoon. The wind is expected to be fairly quiet into Friday coming from the southwest at 5 to 15 miles per hour. That all changes into the weekend. High winds from the southwest at 15 to 25 miles per hour will move in, causing wave heights to reach up to 6 feet at times. It is likely that the National Weather Service will issue another round of Beach Hazard Statements. Remember, if local beaches are flying red flags, it is due to dangerously high waves and rip currents. If double red flags are flying, water access is closed. WARMER WATER While staying out of the water will be the safest option this weekend, water temperatures have continued to rise this past week. Most beaches are now reporting in the mid to upper 60s. Next week will start off warm and sunny as well. With calmer winds, there will be some good opportunities to swim then. The Lake Michigan Beach and Boating forecast is sponsored by West Michigan Toyota Dealers and the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

• Extreme heat moves into West Michigan this weekend

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Summer heat is finally making an appearance in West Michigan into the weekend. EXTREME HEAT WATCH The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat watch Friday morning that will go into effect Saturday and carry through Tuesday. This watch will be upgraded to an extreme heat warning or heat advisory as the weekend approaches. How to avoid heat-related illness this weekend TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT INDICES While temperatures are not expected to be record-breaking, a streak of low to mid-90s will kick off beginning this weekend. That's more than 10 degrees above average for this time of year. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app A streak of 90s is not necessarily abnormal during this time of the year. The last streak of five days in the 90s was in 2023 from May 30 through June 3. With high temperatures in the 90s and dew points expected in the 70s, the heat index (or 'feels-like' temperature) is expected to reach the triple digits. RELIEF IN SIGHT? The heat is expected to let up toward the middle of next week. However, high temperatures will still remain in the low to mid 80s. This also comes with a chance of showers and thunderstorms making a return. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter Into early July, seasonable temperatures are expected to make a return. This means high temperatures in the low 80s, with low temperatures in the low 60s. How are you beating the heat? Submit your weather photos to woodtv.com/reportit.

• Severe threat wanes in West MI, leaving downpours

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The severe weather threat in West Michigan has ended as downpours remain possible overnight. Inside woodtv.com: Radar Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches were in effect for southern Michigan, but were canceled early as storms moved past. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app The rain was heavy in many communities, and more downpours remain possible overnight into early Thursday. Showers will remain possible through early Thursday, before diminishing into the afternoon. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter Stay with Storm Team 8 for updates.

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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