Severe storms possible in Ann Arbor area; heat advisory issued
More thunderstorms, some of which could be severe, could pass through the Ann Arbor area today as Washtenaw County remains in the grip of a stubborn heat wave.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory effective from noon today until 8 a.m. Wednesday as temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-90s.
As the heat continues this week, you might want to seek the cooling waters of a local pool as Paulie Frezza, 3, of Oakland County did on a recent hot day. Just don't try Vet's Park in Ann Arbor - it's closed due to a malfunction.
Thunderstorms that moved through the area this morning brought some much-needed moisture to parts of the Ann Arbor area. National Weather Service meteorologist Rachel Kulik said a quarter to a half-inch of rain fell north of the city.
More storms are possible today, especially this afternoon and evening, and they could be severe, she said. They’re unlikely to spawn tornadoes, she said, but could back some high winds and hail.
What about the fireworks at Hudson Mills Metropark near Dexter tonight? Will they be rained out? Not likely, Kulik said. The chance for storms this evening is only about 40 percent, and anything that does form will not be widespread, she said.
Some might trade the fireworks for a good soaking rain. Excessively dry conditions have turned fields and open grassy areas into tinderboxes, sparking many grass and brush fires in the area. Some municipalities have instated open burning bans.
As of Monday morning, Ann Arbor stood at 5.07 inches below normal rainfall for the year. Last month was the 11th driest June recorded since 1880, said University of Michigan weather observer Dennis Kahlbaum.
More coverage:
- Heat watch issued for Ann Arbor area; temperatures in 90s expected all week
- Tips for beating the heat Veterans
- Memorial Park Pool closed until July 11 due to 'catastrophic' mechanical failure
- Looking for a way to cool off? Here's a map to some of the top destinations to beat the heat around Washtenaw County:
View Ann Arbor Summer in a larger map
For updated weather conditions and forecasts anytime, check AnnArbor.com's weather page.
Comments
jim
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 6:07 p.m.
I don't think there is much dispute that climate change is real. It exists, and has been going on for billions of years. I think the dispute is over whether it is caused by man or whether the climate would change anyway, no matter what man does.
xmo
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.
"Last month was the 11th driest June recorded since 1880" That means there were 10 dryer months of June with less than 5.07 inches of rain since 1880! There must have really been some dry Junes in the last 130 years! I wonder what caused them?
Bertha Venation
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
No worries, S.I.P. sometimes I can be pretty "slo". ;)
say it plain
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
bingo, @bedrog... sorry to be unclear, @Bertha :-)
bedrog
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
bertha: i think 's.i.p' was (correctly )tweaking 'xmo' for his/her not so subtle dig at the notion of 'climate change', which on 'planetxmo' is viewed as a mere "liberal" canard ( as opposed to here on 'earth', where its real!!).
Bertha Venation
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.
@sip -- Huh????
say it plain
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.
hey, maybe many of those "driest" months came closer to now than to then?! Just, you know, you may want to look at how they *cluster*, as a scientist might?! Or as many scientists might, who (for the most part ) have as their goal the objective observations of patterns (as opposed to other objectives ) that might speak to causes? Just a thought...
Tom Todd
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 2:52 p.m.
Son back in my day there was this thing called..............rain.
actionjackson
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
I do prefer heat, even high temps in the 90's to bitter cold. Sure wish we could see some rain as do most of the folks in this area.
Bertha Venation
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.
Not crazy about the winds, but we really do need the rain!