GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Past the midway point of 2026, the year has already been characterized by extremes in both temperature and precipitation in West Michigan.
JANUARY
The year began with bitterly cold temperatures, even by January standards. Sudden stratospheric warming with a negative phase of the Arctic oscillation brought long-lasting cold temperatures that lingered into early February.
The first month of the year delivered an average temperature of 20.2 degrees in Grand Rapids, which is 4.6 degrees below average. The colder-than-average conditions were reflected in West Michigan’s other cities including Kalamazoo (20.6 degrees, -4.2 degrees) and Muskegon (22.3 degrees, -4.3 degrees).
Grand Rapids experienced its coldest temperature in decades when the temperature dropped to a frigid -19 degrees on Jan. 24 — the coldest reading since Jan. 19, 1994. The temperature stayed below 20° for nine straight days from Jan. 23 to Jan. 31, which is the fourth-longest streak on record.
Steady shots of cold air created persistent rounds of lake-effect snow serving up a surplus of accumulation for the month. At least a trace of snow occurred every day from Jan. 14 to Jan. 31. Grand Rapids received 39.4 inches of snowfall, qualifying as the eighth-snowiest January on record with the heaviest single day amount falling on Jan. 27 (7.3 inches).
FEBRUARY
February brought some reprieve from the intense chill of January, despite Punxsutawney Phil forecasting six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day. Temperatures moderated near the middle of the month and the high reached 60 degrees on Feb. 18, helping to eliminate snow from the ground for the first time in 34 days for Grand Rapids.
After a heavy quantity of snow in January, February brought only 8.5 inches of snow to Grand Rapids, which is substantially lower than average.
MARCH
The first major severe thunderstorms of 2026 occurred as we moved through the early stages of March. Four confirmed tornadoes touched down on March 6 in St Joseph, Cass, and Branch counties, yielding widespread damage and taking four lives while injuring several others.
Union City tornado victims identified as recovery continues
Edwardsburg, Three Rivers and Union City were among the communities hit hardest by the storms. The tornado that affected Union City is estimated to have been a high-end EF3 tornado with maximum winds reaching 160 mph. According to the National Weather Service, this is the strongest tornado to have struck the state of Michigan since an F4 hit Kalamazoo and Eaton counties on April 2, 1977.
The remainder of the month of March stayed fairly close to typical conditions as West Michigan transitioned from winter to spring, though precipitation was approximately double the average quantity. Grand Rapids picked up 4.73 inches of liquid precipitation. The excessive moisture played a part in what would come to pass in April.
APRIL
Snowmelt in tandem with relentless rainfall set up a significant flooding scenario throughout much of the state.
April 2026 was the third-wettest on record in Grand Rapids with a total of 7.85 inches of rain while also ranking in the top five for precipitation in Muskegon, Holland and Kalamazoo.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 22 streamgages in Michigan reached all-time record heights or flows, including points along the Grand and Muskegon Rivers. Major flood stage was reached along the Muskegon River, causing Newaygo County Emergency Services to issue evacuation orders on April 16 for residents living in the floodplain below the Croton Dam. The Hesperia Dam along the White River nearly failed due to the massive amount of water, and nearby residents were also advised to be ready to evacuate.
Neighbors paddle down flooded street along Grand River
In the midst of the historically wet pattern, West Michigan also dealt with bouts of severe thunderstorms. An EF-1 tornado packing winds up to 100 mph was confirmed to have touched down north of Otsego and Plainwell, spreading damage onto US-131 overnight from April 14 into April 15. The weather sensor at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport also registered an 81 mph straight-line wind gust.
MAY
May brought unusually cold conditions to West Michigan. The high temperature on May 1 was only 46 degrees, which ranks as the third-chilliest high temperature recorded for the start of May in Grand Rapids. Frost concerns stretched through the first half of the month, with lows routinely dipping into the 30s.
Frosty mornings create stress for West Michigan fruit producers
By the middle of the month, warmer temperatures began to emerge and the clash of varied air masses lead to thunderstorms pulsing up. The most notable severe weather event happened on May 18 when a squall line pushed through, producing wind damage and power outages.
JUNE
Mild summertime conditions were prevalent throughout much of June. Between June 11 and June 27, high temperatures failed to reach 80 degrees in Grand Rapids, sitting comfortably in the 60s and 70s.
While severe weather was absent from much of West Michigan, two EF0 tornadoes occurred in Caledonia and Yankee Springs on June 14 as a major tornado outbreak unfolded further south into Illinois and Indiana…