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• Damp start to May in West Michigan

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The first week of May brought persistent showers to West Michigan. An omega block pattern kept low pressure parked over the Great Lakes for several days developing round after round of rain. It's among the top 10 wettest starts to May for Lansing (2nd), Big Rapids (6th), and Battle Creek (8th). Grand Rapids received 1.45" during the first week of the month, resulting in the 14th-greatest total for that period in 133 years of record keeping. As a result of our wet weather, drought has nearly been eliminated locally with a portion of Berrien county plus areas northeast of Grand Rapids reporting abnormally dry conditions — the least intense of the five classifications. Severe drought continues immediately west of Saginaw Bay. A pattern shift will lead to more sunshine and limited chances for rainfall into the upcoming Mother's Day holiday weekend. Temperatures will also be warmer in the 70s. Storm Team 8 will share more about thunderstorms making their return next week in the 8-day forecast.

• Portage tornado: How meteorologists and journalists respond to damage reports

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — In the days and hours leading up to the Portage tornado, meteorologists at the National Weather Service were prepared for the worst. "We typically already have our staffing in place. We know that the threat is there, and we've already determined who's going to be doing what," NWS meteorologist T.J. Turnage said. Weathering West Michigan: Portage Pride The night of May 7, 2024, Turnage found himself a part of the warning team, which spends the night studying the radar, taking cross sections, and waiting for each updated scan. When the time comes, they draw the polygons sending out the warning to the public, a process that usually takes around a minute. Despite only a slight risk (level 2 of 5) in place across West Michigan the night of the storm, the environment was favorable for large scale thunderstorms and tornadoes. At 5:38 p.m., a tornado warning was issued for Kalamazoo County. Shortly after, a confirmed tornado was on the ground tracking toward Portage. The historic nature of the May 7, 2024, tornado outbreak "The thing that got my attention about this storm was that it already had circulation that was very persistent in Van Buren County, which is just west of Kalamazoo County. Certainly the fact that it was hitting a populated area was a real concern," Turnage said. Once the tornado warning was in effect, meteorologists across the area turned to ground reports in an attempt to confirm if the tornado had actually touched down. Weathering West Michigan: Portage Pride At News 8, the assignment desk listens to police scanners, monitors social media posts and helps verify reports coming into the newsroom. "An actual touchdown and a possible touchdown are two different things. So I'm listening — I'm listening for when the police arrive or fire arrived (and) described the scene," Chuck LaTour, a News 8 assignment editor, said. LaTour spent the night of May 7 listening to the scaner and directing reporters to sites where there may have been damage. As reports continued to flood in, LaTour focused closely on determining what was fact and what was fabricated. "I reach out to public safety as well and say, 'OK, this is what I'm hearing. Is that actually happening?' It's now become priority A-1 at the desk," LaTour said. Portage's Celery Flats on the road to recovery after 2024 tornado One report that wound up not being true was that there may have been people killed when the storm swept over the FedEx building in Portage. The building, however, did see substantial structural damage. "So you have to keep that in mind that very often, the information you're getting is not firsthand. It may have been passed along and you may be getting it thirdhand or fourthhand. And so things can sometimes get lost in translation or misheard or misrepresented," Turnage said. FedEx told News 8 this week that its damaged building is still under construction but should be done in late summer. For now, it's working out of a safe part of the damaged Portage facility and a temporary site in Battle Creek to serve the region. The day after the storm, the NWS sent out survey teams to determine where exactly tornadoes had touched down. It is a vital step in confirming how many reports of tornadoes were true along with what sources tend to be most reliable in times of crisis.

• The historic nature of the May 7, 2024, tornado outbreak

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The tornadoes that struck Southwest Michigan on May 7, 2024, and the warnings that preceded them were historic. A total of 17 tornado warnings and upgrades were issued by the National Weather Service offices of Grand Rapids and Northern Indiana that Tuesday evening. Weathering West Michigan: Portage Pride Some communities, including those in Calhoun and central Kalamazoo counties, were placed under more than one warning with less than two hours of separation between them. In all, the 17 warnings and upgrades encompassed a cumulative 1.359 million people that evening. UPGRADED TORNADO WARNINGS The two EF2 tornadoes that struck Portage and Sherwood were given special tornado warning upgrades. The NWS upgraded Kalamazoo County to a "particularly dangerous situation" tornado warning as the Portage tornado was confirmed to be "large and extremely dangerous" shortly before 6 p.m. Less than 30 minutes later, a confirmed separate "large and destructive" tornado prompted Michigan's first ever tornado emergency for northern Branch County. The NWS uses tiered warnings that are effective when urgent and lifesaving messaging is needed amid a large, ongoing tornado. A particularly dangerous situation tornado warning is issued when a large and strong tornado is confirmed using either eyewitness reports or radar signatures. A tornado emergency is reserved for the most dangerous of tornadic situations, when a confirmed large tornado is moving toward a population center. Upgraded tornado warnings are exceedingly rare in Michigan and throughout the United States. Of the more than 61,000 tornado warnings that have been issued in the U.S. since 2005, just 2.24% have been declared particularly dangerous situations and only 0.49% have been designated as a tornado emergency. The other tornadoes that hit Southwest Michigan on May 7, 2024 The tornado emergency for Union City remains the only issuance in the state of Michigan. Only 15 particularly dangerous situation warnings have been issued in the state since 2005, five of which came on May 7. COUNTING THE TWISTERS Four tornadoes ultimately touched down from three separate storms: the Portage EF2, the Union City/Sherwood EF2, an EF1 through northern Cass County and an EF1 in Branch County. Three of the four were on the ground for more than 20 minutes. Weathering West Michigan: Portage Pride Of the 270 tornadoes that have touched down in Michigan since 2005, only 29 of them were of EF2 or EF3 strength. That equates to roughly 11% of all twisters. While the tornadoes of May 7, 2024, were destructive, Michigan has not been hit by a tornado of EF4 or EF5 strength since 1977.

• Omega block pattern continues to trigger rain chances in Michigan

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD — It has been a rainy start to May, with Grand Rapids already accumulating 1.22 inches. This week will kick off with more rain chances due to a blocking pattern across the country. WHAT IS AN OMEGA BLOCK? An omega block pattern occurs when two low pressure systems, usually cut off from the jet stream, hold in place on opposite sides of the country, resulting in a shape like the Greek letter omega. This pattern typically results in ongoing chances for clouds and rain on the East and West Coast while the central part of the country remains dry and quiet thanks to high pressure. This blocking pattern can last for several days, much like it has in this case. Inside woodtv.com: Radar CLOSED OFF LOW IN OHIO VALLEY Over the weekend, one of two low pressure systems became "closed off" across the Ohio Valley. This means that the system is rather isolated and not moving along with the jet stream. For Michigan, this has meant ongoing rain moving from east to west, or counterclockwise. Typically, rain chances move west to east along with the upper air flow. Rain chances continue through Tuesday before the cut off low pressure system is able to break free. High pressure will settle in, bringing sunshine and warmer temperatures. Storm Team 8 Forecast The quiet and sunny pattern is expected to continue through the weekend and potentially into early next week. Ideal weather is expected for the Amway River Bank Run and Mother's Day.

• Tulip Time forecast: Comfortably cool spring weather, showers Sunday evening

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The 96th annual Tulip Time is underway in Holland, and the first weekend is in good shape with comfortable springtime weather. Weather conditions in the lead-up to the festival have been better to the bulbs than in 2024, when an early onset of warm temperatures had tulips hitting their peak early. Moving forward, we should have steady temperatures with highs topping off at or near 60 degrees both today and Sunday. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app Sunday brings a breezy northeast wind, which will make it feel chillier even while highs make it into the upper 50s. A disturbance to our south will slide northward tomorrow, and as it does so, we may pick up on some rain near and south of I-96 approaching the evening. Some of those showers may clip through Holland, but impacts will be minimal with very light accumulations. Tulip Time goes through Sunday, May 11. Stay with Storm Team 8 to help you plan the best time to head to Holland. *Correction: A previous version of this article misstated how many years the festival has been held. We regret the error, which has been corrected.

• Grand Rapids saw less rainfall than usual in April

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan closed the book on the month of April with seasonable temperatures and a period of drier weather taking hold. The average temperature for the month in Grand Rapids measured at 48.1 degrees, which is half a degree above what's typically observed. There was a fairly even split in above-average and below-average high temperatures. A daily record amount of precipitation fell on April 2, with a soaking 1.42 inches of accumulation at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. However, only 1.35 inches followed in Grand Rapids through the remainder of the month and just a trace occurred in the final nine days. April showers fell short of average for Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Holland. Points near I-94 caught onto some more showers and thunderstorms, helping to produce a surplus in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. As we turn our attention to May, warmer temperatures take over. It's also one of our wetter months in the year with 4 inches of rainfall. Grand Rapids gains an hour of daylight by the time we wrap up May. The Climate Prediction Center's May outlook favors warmer and drier conditions for a large swath of the country, including West Michigan. Stay with Storm Team 8 as we continue to bring you updates on the forecast.

• Cooldown ahead: 70s Tuesday morning followed by frost Wednesday morning

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Tuesday morning brought some of the warmest temperatures April has ever seen in the morning! The Gerald R. Ford International airport reported 74 degrees at 7 a.m., a timeframe when the low temperature of the day typically falls. COLD TEMPERATURES AHEAD Thanks to a cold front passing through, much cooler temperatures are expected overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Temperatures will tumble to the mid-30s in Grand Rapids, opening up a chance for patchy frost. Areas further to the north will dip below freezing. This very well could be the last freeze of the season for West Michigan. Most cities see the last 32-degree temperature or cooler the first week of May. SIGNS OF SPRING RETURN This temperature drop marks a very large one over the course of 24 hours, right around 40 degrees! For reference, our average low temperature for this time should sit in the low-to-mid 40s. Cooler temperatures are sticking around for the remainder of the week. Expect highs falling to the 50s and 60s.

• When do 80s typically arrive in West Michigan?

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The warming trend continues across the county for the end of April. What does this mean for West Michigan temperatures? FIRST 80-DEGREE TEMPERATURE On average, the first 80-degree temperature arrives towards the end of April or early May in West Michigan. Kalamazoo averages on April 29, while Muskegon trends a bit later on May 18. The last several years, Grand Rapids has seen the first 80-degree temperature in April. In 2024, April 27 brought a high temperature of exactly 80 degrees! Oddly enough, that may be close to the date we see it this year. WHEN WILL THE FIRST 80-DEGREE TEMPERATURE BE IN 2025? While it's too soon to say for sure, next Tuesday has the best chance for some cities across West Michigan to reach 80 degrees. A warm front will lift across the state, skyrocketing temperatures to the mid 70s at least. Cities in southern Michigan will have a good chance to see the 80s. If West Michigan misses out on the 80s next Tuesday, there will likely be many other chances into early May. The Climate Prediction Center is indicating a 30% to 50% chance of above-average temperatures during that time.

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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