GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Another string of 90s is on deck for West Michigan as a heat dome tracks east into the Great Lakes.
The jet stream, which helps control the weather across the nation, is expected to move into a giant ridge, buckling north into Canada. This movement will allow warm air to surge north across the United States and pour 90-degree highs into West Michigan.
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Already, Grand Rapids has hit 90 degrees four times this season, with heat index values registering in the triple digits. Grand Rapids typically hits 90 an average of 10 to 11 times in a given summer. Lakeshore areas like Grand Haven and Muskegon are known to have a few years when they stay cooler than 90 degrees all season.
TRACKING NEXT WEEK’S HEAT
A heat dome will build in the desert southwest and migrate far north into the Dakotas before bleeding into the Great Lakes. This will likely launch Grand Rapids into the 90s for several days in a row next week. Humidity levels won’t be as difficult as the start of July. Moisture will still be noticeable with dew points in the low to mid-60s, but a far cry from the mid-70s.
Heat index values next week in the Great Lakes will likely climb into the upper 90s, but they may not reach the triple digits. Heat advisories may be issued, but extreme heat warnings are unlikely for our area.
Very little rain is expected through this time. It is possible we could see some areas of drought development.
Warmer-than-usual conditions are expected to persist through the third week of July in Michigan. There is a better-than-average chance of warmer-than-average temperatures, and a dry lean to the model trends currently for that time period.
Drought would most likely occur north of I-96 if it develops by the end of July…