The last several months have been mainly dry across West Michigan, and the rain deficit has been slowly growing.
Since May 1, the rain deficit for Grand Rapids is now greater than 3″. We are behind 3.26″ of rain from May 1 to this point in July, and that deficit will keep growing the longer the dry days continue.
July has been particularly dry, with only one third of an inch of recorded rainfall in Grand Rapids over 4 rain days.
Many other locations in West Michigan are faring the same way.
Little by little, the drought monitor updates each week have shown an expansion of the “Abnormally Dry” category (yellow), with more areas now included in the “Moderate” category (light tan).
Almost a quarter of the state is included in some level of drought, and most of that is in West Michigan. Ottawa, Allegan and southwest Kent County are faring the worst in West Michigan. Holland is one of the driest spots in Michigan, with only 1.27″ of rain recorded since June 1. That is over a 3″ deficit!…