Heat Advisory, Dangerous Currents, Severe Storm Risk, Air Quality Alert

A Heat Advisory will be in effect from noon tomorrow (Wed.) until 2 am Thursday. The Advisory is for Ottawa, Kent, Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien and Cass Counties. Heat Advisories and possible Warnings will also be in effect for N. Indiana, N. Illinois and W. Ohio.

Heat Advisory for Wed. – likely to be issued again for Thu.

The Heat Index is expected to climb to near 100. Heat Advisories and Warnings will likely be in effect again on Thursday. These two days could be the warmest days we’ll see this summer. The GFS model gives Grand Rapids high temperatures of 94 on Wed. and 93 on Thu.

There are quite a few high school football games scheduled Thursday evening. For the fans in the stands and especially for the players, it’s important to stay hydrated. The sun will be lower in the sky by gametime, but find some shade if you can.

Marginal Risk of a Severe Thunderstorm early Wednesday from Gr. Rapids to the north

The Storm Prediction Center has a Marginal Risk of a severe thunderstorm late tonight and early tomorrow for areas generally east of US 131. SPC says:

A mid-level anticyclone will be located across the central U.S.
   today. On the northeastern periphery of this feature, mid-level flow
   will be from the west and northwest across the Great Lakes region.
   Thunderstorms will likely be ongoing across parts of Lower Michigan
   at the start of the period. This activity is expected to weaken by
   late morning. A moist airmass will advect eastward across Lower
   Michigan today, with surface dewpoints increasing into the lower to
   mid 70s F. Within northwest mid-level flow, a shortwave trough is
   forecast to move southeast across the eastern Great Lakes. Ahead of
   this feature, model forecasts consistently develop scattered
   thunderstorms late this evening. This activity is forecast to
   organize into an MCS and move southeastward across eastern Lower
   Michigan, and into northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania during
   the overnight period. RAP forecast soundings near the track of the
   MCS around midnight suggest that the storms will be surface-based
   with strong instability (MUCAPE above 4000 J/kg), and moderate
   deep-layer shear. This should support a wind-damage threat as the
   MCS develops into a bowing line segment.

Small Craft Advisories for Wed. from Ottawa County to the north

Small Craft Advisories will be in effect tomorrow (Wed.) from Ottawa County to the north. This includes Grand Haven State Park, where dangerous currents may develop on the south side of the pier. Waves will likely be in the 2-4 foot rangeA Beach Hazards Statement will likely be issued for Wed. (and possibly on Thu.). Do not swim near or jump off the piers and on breezy/windy days.