MID-MICHIGAN --

In Mid-Michigan, totals were:

Saginaw 76.2” (normal 45.5”)

Flint  72.1” (normal 47.7”)

Breaking down Flint in a little more depth (since it is an official National Weather Service climate site) snowfall this season was 24.4" above average and only 10.8" short of the all-time record of 82.9" from the 1974-1975 season.  The season was propelled to these levels by the snowiest February on record, when 31.7" fell, including 11.1" on February 1st and 2nd during "Snowpalooza", and  and 10.4" on the 20th and 21st during "Snowpalooza II".

Other totals around the state, all above normal, for the season include:

Detroit 69.1” (normal 46.7”)

Grand Rapids 74” (normal 71.6”)

Houghton Lake 88.1” (normal 75.3”)

Marquette 154.8” (normal 141”)

Alpena checked in at 93.8” with the most recent storm making the total formidable, but not anywhere near the all-time record for that site of 166.3” set in 1970-71.

So far the month of April has been cool and damp.  The average temperature so far for this month (Flint data), averaging the daytime highs and nighttime lows, is 43.1 degrees, which is actually less than a half degree below average.  That number is a bit deceiving, however, thanks to a brief extreme warm spell earlier in the month which included an 83 degree day on April 10th.  The majority of the month has brought us well below normal temperatures.  An 80+ degree day is not unheard of in April.  In fact, the record highs for this Easter weekend’s dates (Tri-Cities data) are 87 for Friday (1980) 87 again for Saturday (1925) and 86 for Sunday (1915).  Unfortunately there is no chance of that happening this Easter weekend!  Check out the forecast from the NBC 25 weather team here.

Rain in April (back to Flint data) is at 2.72" so far, which is .73" above average.  And while you may think the phrase "April showers" means April is typically the wettest month of the year, it isn't.  Flint's average of 3.13" April rainfall is fourth behind September (3.76"), August (3.43") and July (3.17").  With the high rainfall so far this month, and the above average snowfall in many parts of the great lakes region, we have been fortunate to not have most of the flooding issues in Mid-Michigan many other parts of the region have experienced.  This was due to a couple of mid-winter thaws, and slow spring melt.  Other parts of the country, like North Dakota (Red River flooding, north of Fargo - Associated Press photo below) have not escaped this spring's floods.

While this weekend and next week look to bring warmer weather, next week will bring more rain, and possibly lots of it.  And right now, despite contrary expectations earlier in the spring for this La Nina season, the models are suggesting below average temperatures and wet weather will continue into early May.  See the NOAA long range outlooks here. The 8-14 day outlooks (below) are calling for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.

The 8-14 day temperature outlook from NOAA, valid April 28th - May 5th, predicts more below normal temperatures (above) and above normal rainfall (below).