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What Did You Think of This April's Weather?

The weather in April went from warm to cold in a matter of days, but how did it compare?

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — This past April's weather was certainly unusual, but would you expect anything less in West Michigan?

Temperatures were warmer than a typical April and much warmer compared to last April. It was also drier than usual, and much drier than 2022.

Snowfall was below-average for the month and less along the lakeshore than April 2022.

There was a little less sunshine than usual, but significantly more than last April.

Credit: 13 On Your Side
April 2023 Almanac - Grand Rapids
Credit: 13 On Your Side
April 2023 Almanac - Muskegon

Grand Rapids reached its first 60° and 70° day on April 5 when the temperature hit 71°.  This was about three weeks later than the average date of March 14 for reaching the first 60°.

Credit: 13 On Your Side
First 60° Day for 2023 - Grand Rapids

The first 70° day, however, was only one day past the average of April 4.

Credit: 13 On Your Side
First 70° Day for 2023 - Grand Rapids

The first 80° day was reach about a week later on April 13, over two weeks earlier than the average date of May 1.

Credit: 13 On Your Side
First 80° Day for 2023 - Grand Rapids

Fruit growers were concerned about the rapid cool down following the 'heat wave' as temperatures tumbled into the upper 20s to mid 30s from April 22 to 27. However, as of May 2, MSU Extension reported little to no damage from those chilly readings.

Credit: MSU Extension
Fruit Tree Status - May 2, 2023

Temperatures are expected to steadily warm up throughout the rest of the week with the long-range pattern suggesting warmer and drier than average conditions through late May.

Credit: 13 On Your Side
Temperature Outlook - May 13-26, 2023
Credit: 13 On Your Side
Precipitation Outlook - May 13-26, 2023

As always, watch the 13 On Your Side meteorologists for the very latest weather information on 13.1 News, our weather network on 13.2 and streaming on Roku and FireTV.

Credit: 13 On Your Side
George Lessens - Social Media Pages

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: GeorgeLessens@13OnYourSide.com

Follow me on Twitter @glessens and Facebook GeorgeLessensWZZM

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