Weather Alert in Michigan
Hydrologic Outlook issued February 17 at 9:43AM EST by NWS Grand Rapids MI
AREAS AFFECTED: Allegan, MI; Barry, MI; Calhoun, MI; Clinton, MI; Eaton, MI; Ingham, MI; Ionia, MI; Jackson, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Kent, MI; Muskegon, MI; Ottawa, MI; Van Buren, MI
DESCRIPTION: ESFGRR Steady melting of snow and ice over the last week has begun to cause rivers to rise across the area. Several chances for rain this week will add to these rises. Based on current expected rainfall, no significant flooding is expected on West Michigan rivers, though typical spring water level rises within the river channels will happen. Meanwhile, river ice has weakened significantly over the last week, and as water levels rise any remaining ice will likely be broken and start to move downstream. This creates the possibility for formation of a few ice jams. Ice jams tend to form in the same places repeatedly, so special attention should be paid in the Comstock Park (Kent County) area as well as the Robinson Township (Ottawa County) area along the Grand River. Anyone living or working near West Michigan rivers should pay extra attention this week as water levels rise. Have a plan to monitor and respond if flooding develops unexpectedly. Monitor the latest conditions at https://water.noaa.gov
INSTRUCTION: N/A
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Weather Topic: What is Rain?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Rain
Next Topic: Shelf Clouds
Precipitation in the form of water droplets is called rain.
Rain generally has a tendency to fall with less intensity over a greater period
of time, and when rainfall is more severe it is usually less sustained.
Rain is the most common form of precipitation and happens with greater frequency
depending on the season and regional influences. Cities have been shown to have
an observable effect on rainfall, due to an effect called the urban heat island.
Compared to upwind, monthly rainfall between twenty and forty miles downwind of
cities is 30% greater.
Next Topic: Shelf Clouds
Weather Topic: What is Sleet?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet
Next Topic: Snow
Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary
components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones,
and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and
therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.
The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be
wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer
layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air
it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water
droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is
freezing rain.
Next Topic: Snow
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