Fall is my favorite season of the year, mainly because I love the transition to sweater weather. I’m thrilled when the temperatures aren’t hot anymore, and do I even need to mention sleeping with the windows open on a lovely autumn day? This is the most wonderful time of the year.
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However, I have been sorely disappointed that the summer temperatures have not abated. We are officially a week into fall, and yet, the forecast has much of the following week in the mid-80s. While plenty of people are more than happy to have an extended summer, the odds of this weather continuing are statistically improbable.
Michigan’s Latest 80°F Day
Summer is over, but when will its weather be over? Historically, Grand Rapids’ last 80°F is, on average, September 26th. If these forecasts are correct, these temperatures will blow past the average for GR. However, based on how this summer has gone, it’s not all that surprising that summer doesn’t want to let up.
As of September 26th, we’ve had 76 days with temperatures over 80°F in 2025. While this is still a far cry from the 2012 record of 96, it’s been a relentless year.
Grand Rapids’ Historical Heat Trends
The National Weather Service has been tracking the historical percentage of days reaching 80°F and 90°F for Grand Rapids since 1892. As expected, the graph shows that July has the highest % of days above 80 and 90 degrees, but it also shows the steep drop in hot days entering into September.
After the 26th, there is a 10% chance that the temperature will exceed 80°F, and a near 0% chance of a day exceeding 90°F. That goes to show how unusual this summer has been for Michigan, and it could add to Michigan’s drought…