How dry has it been this May in Grand Rapids?

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It is looking very likely the rest of May 2023 will feature no rain. The last meaningful rain occurred on May 7 with .41'' in Grand Rapids. You may want to consider starting up your irrigation systems or sprinklers!

If May ended today the total rainfall for the month would be 0.84'' — a deficit of 3.16''. It wouldn't be the driest — that happened during the Dust Bowl years in 1936 when 0.72'' fell, but it would be the driest since 1987.

With the exception of parts of the Upper Peninsula precipitation for the month of May, we're running a deficit across the most of Lower Michigan.

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According the Midwest Regional Climate Center West Michigan has received only 25 to 75% of the rainfall it usually gets.

So far, this has not had a significant impact on short-term or long-term dryness. Although a prolonged period of dry weather could bring parts of Michigan into abnormally dry conditions.

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The fire risk the rest of the month will likely remained 'elevated' with high- to very-high risks expected. The National Weather Service is Grand Rapids is not anticipating any additional Fire Weather Watches or (Red Flag) Warnings, mainly because winds will remain relatively light (after Wednesday) and humidity levels will be high enough through the holiday weekend. Nevertheless, always be extra careful with campfires this weekend!

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Whether you are planning to head to the beach or the forest this weekend be sure to stay safe!

Continue to watch 13 On Your Side meteorologists for continuous updates on the holiday weekend forecast.

Chief Meteorologist George Lessens

George is a graduate of Penn State University working for 13 On Your Side for over 42 years. He is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM), a thirteen-time MAB® Weathercast Award Winner, two-time EMMY® Award Winner, NATAS® Silver Circle Award Winner, and Weather-Ready Nation® Ambassador.

Contact me at: [email protected]

Follow me on Twitter @glessens and Facebook GeorgeLessensWZZM

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