US National Weather Service Grand Rapids Michigan

With very dry conditions, take extra care with campfires (if permitted) and be cautious with anything that could start a fire.

A warm and sunny beach weekend is ahead. Swim risk this weekend will be low with waves between 0 to 2 feet. However, the water will be cold. Water temps will be in the mid 50s to at most, the low 60s. So please be aware of the signs of hypothermia and be safe.

Warm and dry conditions will persist through the weekend. The next chance for rain will be late next week. Couple those conditions with gusty winds and there is a recipe for any fire's to get out of control. Please be careful and check local burning restrictions. The biggest area of concern is along and north of the US 10 corridor.

This Memorial Day weekend will start of fairly nice today with chances for showers early Saturday and again Sunday. Waves will be fairly calm overall with slight periods of 1 to 3 feet possible. Expect gusty offshore winds through Saturday. Water temperatures will be cold, in the 40s to low 50s. Temperatures will warm into the 70s Memorial Day. Waves Memorial Day will be 1 foot or less.

950 pm Wednesday May 20th Skywatcher update: Find the crescent moon in the western sky. Then look to the lower right of it for Jupiter. Keep going down lower to the right to see the bright "evening star" which is the planet Venus. Can you see all three?

Storms could spark along a frontal boundary through the southeastern portion of the state mid to late afternoon and into the early evening hours. Biggest area of concern is Jackson eastward. Main threat will be damaging winds but quarter size hail is possible.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are moving into Michigan this afternoon. A line of storms crossing the Lake will reach Southwestern Lower Michigan early this afternoon and progress toward the NE. The main threat will be damaging wind gusts. These storms have a history of producing nearly 80 mph gusts in the Chicago area. Have ways to receive warnings this afternoon, and if you have outdoor activities planned be prepared to seek shelter if these storms approach your area.

830 AM Monday May 18th Update: Thunderstorms will move through this afternoon with the potential for strong winds and hail. Stay tuned for updates and possible severe weather warnings.

Thunderstorms will become more likely this afternoon, especially north of I-96. Hail will be the main threat with some damaging winds possible. There is a decent chance of a tornado or two spinning up this afternoon.

We are looking at threats of severe weather on Monday and Tuesday also.

There will be a chance of storms on Sunday, however they are expected to not be severe. Monday will see a better chance of storms as a front approaches the area. Damaging winds and large hail are the main threats.