Grand Rapids was mostly cloudy and 61 degrees Wednesday, October 14. The city should get one more manageable fall day before a wet, windy system moves through Thursday and Friday, bringing a sharp Friday chill.
Wednesday Offers A Brief Calm
Wednesday could bring a few early showers before clouds settle in, with a high near 68 degrees and only a small chance of light rain. Tonight should be partly cloudy, with temperatures dipping to around 47 degrees.
Rain Arrives Thursday Afternoon
An earlier Hoodline forecast placed likely showers after 8 a.m. Thursday, with a high near 64 degrees. Rain is expected to continue Thursday night, when the chance of showers reaches 100% and roughly a quarter to half an inch could fall.
How This Forecast Compares With October Normals
For Wednesday, the forecast high of 67°F is 5°F above the October 14 normal high of 62°F, while the forecast low of 47°F is 4°F above the normal low of 43°F, according to the National Weather Service Grand Rapids climate report, which uses 1991–2020 normals. The Thursday night rain forecast is about a quarter to half an inch, but the cited climate figures provide temperature normals, not a rainfall normal, so they do not show whether that amount is above or below average.
Friday Brings Wind And A Fast Temperature Drop
Friday will stay rainy and mostly cloudy, with a high near 56 degrees. Hoodline’s October 12 forecast called for northwest winds between 14 and 22 mph. Another forecast calls for winds of 35 to 45 mph, making umbrellas a questionable investment and creating a rougher commute for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Forecasters also see a chance for thunderstorms near the Lake Michigan shoreline, while a marine Gale Watch is posted for lake waters late Thursday night through Friday night.
Sunny Weekend, Slow Warmup Next Week
The weather settles down Saturday, which should be sunny but cool with a high near 53 degrees and a low around 41 Saturday night. Sunday looks sunny and milder, reaching about 60 degrees, followed by gradual warming early next week. In other words, fall will make its case Friday, then ease up before the workweek warms back toward something friendlier.
