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• Active pattern sets up with several rounds of showers and thunderstorms

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — April showers have followed a very soggy March with more rain on the way this week for West Michigan. Warm, humid air will stay in place all week with several rounds of showers and storms through Thursday. Some downpours could lead to localized flooding. A severe weather threat is possible Tuesday morning and again late Tuesday night. SUNDAY NIGHT Rain will move through Michigan, with the heaviest totals north of Big Rapids, and Flood Watches are in effect for much of the northern Lower Peninsula as well as the Upper Peninsula. An additional 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected overnight in those locations, with only light to moderate rain in West Michigan. Showers are expected to clear just after sunrise. MONDAY Expect mostly cloudy skies with a warm and fairly humid springtime air mass. The ingredients will be in place for a severe storm, but it has lower-tier potential, with much of the day delivering dry weather. The most likely scenario is that severe thunderstorms develop in Minnesota and Wisconsin on Monday afternoon, then move into West Michigan late Monday night into Tuesday morning. If storms can retain some of their intensity during their trip across Lake Michigan, there's a risk of hail and heavy rain. TUESDAY Tuesday brings the best chance of severe weather this week. Cloud cover may limit our potential, but if thunderstorms develop, all modes of severe weather, including large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes will be possible. The Storm Prediction Center has all of West Michigan contained in a slight risk (level 2 out of 5). The most likely timeframe for severe storms appears to be the evening to early overnight. Stay alert for changing conditions and have a way to receive watch and warning information if you plan to be outside. MOVING FORWARD It's going to stay on the warmer side throughout this week as rounds of rain and thunderstorms plug through. Temperatures will consistently top off in the 70s with dew points in the 50s and 60s, lending a muggy feeling to the air that we haven't experienced much so far in 2026. River levels are expected to slowly subside after peaking last week. However, with another heavy dose of rain projected over the next several days, Storm Team 8 will continue to closely monitor the situation.

• Artemis II splashes down, astronauts return to Earth

  (NEXSTAR) – Artemis II's voyage into space came to an exciting conclusion Friday with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The team's Orion capsule, dubbed "Integrity," splashed down at 5:07 p.m. PT, about 60 miles off the coast of San Diego. The crew returning are NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, as well as Jeremy Hansen with the Canadian Space Agency. Artemis II reentry: Will a sonic boom be heard? Their 10-day voyage marks our first return to the moon in more than 50 years. Upon landing, all eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry. On the only other test flight of the spacecraft — in 2022, with no one on board — the shield’s charred exterior came back looking as pockmarked as the moon. Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 — or 32 times the speed of sound — a blistering blur not seen since NASA’s Apollo moonshots of the 1960s and 1970s. In this image from video provided by NASA, the Artemis II Orion capsule splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, on Friday, April 10, 2026. (NASA via AP)In this photo provided by NASA, recovery teams approach the Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II crewmembers after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP) Upon landing, Commander Wiseman reported "four green crew members," which indicated that all four astronauts aboard the capsule were in good health. The astronauts did not immediately exit the capsule, instead, Integrity bobbed afloat in the Pacific for some time after splash down, as the crew waited for power down. The Integrity's hatch finally opened nearly one hour after splashdown. To retrieve the astronauts, Navy divers inflated a massive raft called "the front porch," to give them time to adjust to gravitational movement. From there, they were hoisted into hovering choppers for a full medical evaluation. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• ‘Outpouring of support’ helps Three Rivers continue tornado cleanup

  THREE RIVERS, Mich. (WOOD) — More than a month after an EF2 tornado sent trees through homes, mangled fencing and shredded brush in Three Rivers, many damaged houses still have boards over windows and tarps over the gashes. But there's still a sense of persevering and rebuilding, unshaken by the winds. Jean Nierodzinski might not walk her dog at Riverside Cemetery like others, but she knows what it's like to take a moment of refuge and enjoy its view. "I'd come through here just to take a drive because it was so nice. There's a spot down by the river that has a bench where you could sit and look out at the lake or the river coming through and it was just gorgeous," she said. How NWS meteorologists tracked deadly tornado outbreak After the March 6 storm, the cemetery was inaccessible. The once-lush green canopy it was known for was transformed in a matter of minutes. Seventy trees were uprooted, with 10 too damaged to stay up. "It's sad to see all these trees that are gone that were in here, so hopefully they can get it back and we'll get it back to looking immaculate," Nierodzinski said. She was among about a dozen local United Auto Workers union members from American Axel to take part in a cleanup at the cemetery Thursday afternoon. They were joined by other community members. "We know how much it means for the community to come out and help out. We work in this community. We're not just workers here; we're going to come out and help support them," Nierodzinski said. Volunteer crews clean up Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers. (April 9, 2026)Volunteer crews clean up Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers. (April 9, 2026)Volunteer crews clean up Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers. (April 9, 2026) Outside of the cemetery's mangled fence, the roads are passable and debris left on curbsides has been picked by the city. "We needed to open up the roadways, make sure that the power company could actually restore power to the areas, and just get traffic flow back to some sort of normal so that the residents could bring contractors in to take care of their own property and home," Three Rivers Public Services Director Amy Roth said. ‘We’re going for a ride now’: How survivors rode out the Union Lake tornado Roth said the challenge was not just the piles of bush, but also adjusting maintenance plans the department was already looking toward. "Our biggest tasks now are taking care of the stumps, both in the cemetery and in the public right of way," Roth said. Add to the list uprooted sidewalks caused by fallen trees. But the help shown at the cemetery makes the weight a bit lighter. "We are so thankful for everybody that cares about our cemetery and just has the passion that we also have for it and to care for our loved ones who are out here," Roth said. ‘A blessing’: Volunteers help cleanup efforts in Three Rivers In the weeks since, Roth said she has been amazed at the out-of-state volunteers who are still flocking to the region, some traveling from as far as Texas and Oklahoma. "It feels amazing to have the outpouring of support that we've seen both inside the community and all over the United States. We are so thankful for everyone that cares for this town and has helped us so far," she said. As neighborhoods rebuild, Niersonzinski said there's comfort in working together. "It's just they want to show each other support and a lot of times we don't get that. And I think that's what we need and it just makes everybody come together and feel better," she said.

• March 2026 is the hottest on record in the lower 48 states

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — While spring is emerging in West Michigan, it's already felt like the middle of summer for parts of the nation. The lower 48 states broke the record for the hottest March, which was last set back in 2012. The temperature measured 9.4 degrees above average, marking the first time that any month has exceeded average on a nationwide basis by more than 9 degrees. The heat was most pronounced in the western half of the country, where a ridge of high pressure set up, creating prolonged hot and dry weather. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app Ten states experienced their hottest March on record: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Locally, temperatures for the month of March in West Michigan were above average but not to the same extremes, measuring approximately 3 to 5 degrees above what is typical. With West Michigan sitting on the edge of the heat dome affecting the western United States, sharp temperature changes made for wet conditions plus an active start to the severe weather season. The EF3 tornado which struck Union City on March 6 was the earliest instance of an EF3 or greater tornado in the state's recorded history. How NWS meteorologists tracked deadly tornado outbreak In the short term, April is trending near average on temperatures, but rain is likely to stay prevalent with heightened flood concerns in the coming weeks. Neighbors paddle down flooded street along Grand River National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center's April Outlook A strong El Niño is anticipated to take shape moving into this summer, which will likely prolong warmer-than-average conditions across a broad area of the country, including West Michigan.

• 2026 Atlantic hurricane season forecast: ‘Somewhat below-average’ activity

  TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - A much-anticipated 2026 Atlantic hurricane forecast was released Thursday, with researchers predicting "a somewhat below-average" season. Colorado State University tropical weather specialists cited a likely transition to the El Niño climate pattern in the coming months as the driving factor behind their forecast. Caribbean hurricanes getting substantially stronger due to warming waters: study Forecasters said El Niño will cause increased levels of vertical wind shear in the tropical Atlantic, creating an unfavorable environment for storms that feed on moist air. They also pointed to slightly cooler than normal sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic, although temperatures in the western Atlantic are warmer than normal, which would favor above-normal activity. With those factors in mind, CSU researchers predicted that 13 named storms will develop in the Atlantic this season. Of those storms, six will become hurricanes, with two reaching major hurricane status (Category 3 and above). Forecast ParametersCSU Forecast for 2026Average for 1991-2020Named Storms1314.4Named Storm Days5569.4Hurricanes67.2Hurricane Days2027.0Major Hurricanes23.2Major Hurricane Days57.4Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE)+90123ACE West of 60 degrees longitude5073 CSU is also forecasting a below-average probability for major hurricane landfalls along the U.S. coast and in the Caribbean. There is a 15% chance for landfall along the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula (average from 1880–2020 is 21%), and a 20% chance for the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville, Texas (average is 27%). CSU researchers noted that their April forecast is typically less accurate than those they release later in the year. They will issue their next forecast update on June 10, just days after the start of the season, with additional updates expected on July 8 and Aug. 5. "Their forecast calls for a slightly below average season with El Niño being a factor for the below average forecast," WFLA Meteorologist Amanda Holly said. "However, water temperatures are providing mixed signals with both below average and above average temps being detected right now." National Hurricane Center unveils new forecast cone Holly said that although the early forecast may be encouraging to coastal residents, they should still continue with their preparations as normal. "Either way, we always say it only takes one storm to make it a bad season, and we should be prepared heading into June 1," Holly said.

• How NWS meteorologists tracked deadly tornado outbreak

  SYRACUSE, Ind. (WOOD) — Sunday marked one month since tornadoes swept through Southwest Michigan, claiming four lives and devastating communities. Staff at the National Weather Service Northern Indiana office watched the storm transform in real time. "It was an unusual system," NWS Northern Indiana meteorologist Lonnie Fisher said. Lonnie Fisher, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana. Fisher has been doing the job for nearly 28 years. Every workday is spent tracking conditions, developing forecasts for aviation and marine traffic, and issuing reports for conditions on the ground. Above all, the team is ready for when the weather turns. On March 6, the team knew conditions could pose a risk, prompting a couple of employees to stay behind and help the on-duty crew of Fisher and another person. "The storm initially developed back just outside of our area, over in Chicago's area by Valparaiso. (It) came across and dropped some hail over in the western part of La Porte County and then it kind of weakened some and as it came and approached the Michigan state line," Fisher said. "And went into Michigan, that's when it really started intensifying rapidly from there." In the matter of 10 to 15 minutes, it turned from a strong thunderstorm to a tornadic one. "That was right in the general area of Edwardsburg, give or take, is where the first of a total of four tornadoes occurred," Fisher said. ‘We’re going for a ride now’: How survivors rode out the Union Lake tornado Radar from the deadly March 6, 2026, tornado outbreak in Southwest Michigan. It would be the start to a night that spawned four tornadoes, two of them deadly. Twelve-year-old Silas Anderson was killed when an EF1 touched down near Edwardsburg. An EF2 then tore through Three Rivers. An EF3 touched down in Union City. Three people were killed in that tornado: 63-year-old William Andrew Akers, 54-year-old Keri Ann Johnson and 65-year-old Penni Jo Guthrie. An EF0 was also reported in Calhoun County. The deadly tornado outbreak also kicked off a record-breaking month. The Northern Indiana station issued 57 thunderstorm warnings in March 2026, breaking the 2025 record of 28. An average March would produce one warning. Eighteen tornado warnings were issued this March; only seven were recorded in March 2023. The average for March is one. "It's been a challenging month for sure," Fisher said. In the weeks that followed, some Michigan lawmakers asked why the National Weather Service didn't have a tornado watch in place before the storm. Senators ask why NWS didn’t issue tornado watch before deadly storm Issuing watches takes coordination, not just within a single NWS office but also with the team at the Storm Prediction Center, which is monitoring conditions nationwide. "As an event tries to evolve, they will issue what's called a 'mesoscale discussion', which says, 'OK, hey, we're now looking at this particular area.' They'll outline the concerns, the justifications, why they think it's there, and then they monitor," Fisher said. If conditions worsen, the discussion usually turns into a Google call with local stations to finalize what counties alerts would cover based on what local staff is tracking. Then the reins are handed over to the local teams to adjust the alerts and make their own warnings. "Watches typically are issued for more widespread concerns. Now, I don't think anybody envisioned the computer models that we use, nothing had modeled anything to this degree. So that was a part that — why a watch was an issue," Fisher said. "And also, it's one storm. To issue a watch that covers 10, 20, 30 counties, half a state, whatever, for one storm doesn't necessarily serve the purpose either." There's a balance in deciding when to issue a watch that covers an entire county when a system might only be impacting part of it. That's where the expertise and action of local stations comes in, something Fisher said is key. He added people should always be prepared. "We want everybody to be alert. We stress severe weather can and will happen without a watch. Severe weather can and will happen without a warning. We can't get everything. So you just have to be prepared for it," Fisher said. Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers seek presidential disaster declaration after deadly tornadoes That preparedness can be as simple as knowing the weather for the day. Next is having weather alerts activated on your phone and having a weather radio. And those outdoor sirens? Fisher stresses they are meant for people who are caught out in the elements. "You should not be using it as a means to know the weather's turning bad when you're in the house. It's just meant to get you into shelter," Fisher said. Lonnie Fisher reviews radar from the deadly tornado outbreak. March 2026 was the busiest March for severe weather the Northern Indiana station has ever had. But while the first part of the spring has been busy, the team said it's hard to base the outlook for the rest of the year from one month. "There's some signs pointing that the spring in general may be a little more active. Now does that mean all kinds of severe weather? Too hard to tell — but it definitely does seem to point towards kind of a warmer, wetter-type setup at least for the next couple weeks to a month on and off and then we'll see how things evolve from there," Fisher said.

• In Comstock Park, Grand River nears major flood stage

  PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Grand River continued to flood in multiple locations Wednesday morning as waterways around West Michigan swelled.  In Comstock Park, river levels reached 15.45 feet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association gauge. The depth at that point of the river easily cleared minor flood stage, which starts at 12 feet, and moderate flood stage, which starts at 14 feet. Sixteen feet is considered major flooding for that location. The water was high enough to completely submerge Willow Drive NE on the eastern banks of the river and leave major portions of riverside trails underwater. Forecasts indicate the river will remain similarly high until at least Thursday morning. Neighbors paddle down flooded street along Grand River Flooding of the Grand River in Comstock Park around 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Flooding of the Grand River in Comstock Park around 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Further downstream in downtown Grand Rapids, river levels fell just shy of minor flood stage at midday Wednesday. There, minor flood stage triggers at 18.10 feet. Despite falling short of the minor flood line, pedestrian infrastructure along the river downtown was largely unusable as the river approached the height of bridge decks. NOAA predicts the river will remain that high through at least Thursday morning.  Kent County Emergency Management noted high water and high flow along the Thornapple River near Caledonia and at the LaBarge, Cascade and Ada dams, all of which it said were working as expected. Still, the county noted some low-lying areas were flooding. It launched an online survey for people to report where there has been damage.

• Neighbors paddle down flooded street along Grand River

  PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — On a chilly spring day, Bruce Ling was out paddling along Abrigador Trail, a road that had turned into a river. He said flooding is a common sight in his 35 years living near the Grand River. Abrigador Trail, which sits between the Grand and West River Drive in Comstock Park, is prone to flooding — though some years are worse than others. "In 2013, that was a historic flood. I think it was 17.9 feet. I lost a house that year," Ling said. A flooded Abrigador Trail in Comstock Park on April 7, 2026. A flooded Abrigador Trail in Comstock Park on April 7, 2026. Getting to his car Tuesday required a boat ride and a quick walk-through ankle-deep water. But he loves the neighborhood, so he stays. He helps the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration keep track of river levels in the area. NOAA recorded the Grand River at 14.9 feet, in the moderate flood stage, in Comstock Park late Tuesday morning. The river was expected to reach nearly 15.4 feet, also in the moderate stage, by around 8 a.m. Wednesday. Officials warn of flooding along Grand, Thornapple rivers It was among a number of West Michigan waterways rising and expected to crest overnight and into Wednesday. On the other side of metro Grand Rapids in Cascade Township, the Thornapple River was high and flowing quickly after Cascade Dam. Upriver, the Thornapple was at about 9.7 feet at Caledonia as of late Tuesday afternoon — it had been hovering around the minor flood stage threshold of 10 feet since Sunday. Flood warnings have been issued around West Michigan, including for parts of the Grand River in Kent and Ottawa counties, as well as the Thornapple River. Kent and Ottawa County emergency management officials are monitoring the Grand River levels closely. Ottawa County officials estimate levels should be back to under flood stage by Sunday. Part of Riverside Park in Grand Rapids was closed for flooding starting Tuesday afternoon, according to the city's parks and recreation department. The northernmost gate leading from Monroe Avenue to the north parking lot as well as the Guild Street gate are closed and barricades were placed at the south lot. People were advised not to park in front of closed gates or barricades. The department released photos that showed water covering a play structure, a disc golf goal and a porta potty, among other things. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app Storm Team 8 says the flooding stems from all the rain we've seen this month and so far this year. Grand Rapids saw 2.68 inches of rain in just the first four days of April. For comparison, Grand Rapids had 2.77 inches of rain for the entire month of April in 2025. Emergency managers asked people who live in flood-prone areas to prepare for flooding by moving valuables to higher levels, checking sump pumps and clearing drains. Authorities advise people to never drive through flooded roadways because it’s impossible to tell if the road underneath is intact. They use the motto, “turn around, don’t drown.” You should also avoid walking through floodwaters because you could get swept away by a current. —Storm Team 8's Sara Flynn and News 8's Joe LaFurgey contributed to this report.

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Chief Meteorologist Ellen Bacca (and husband Mark) welcomed their first child over the weekend, with the birth of Piper Sunny. Check out these sweet pictures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurricane Lee continues to slowly track toward the United States. Click here for the latest on intensity and path<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday brought plenty of sunshine and calm conditions. Bill’s Blog dives into what is currently the calmest day of 2023.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEATHER WEAR<\/strong>
Rain Jacket
Umbrella<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY<\/strong>
Widespread Rain Developing
Pockets of Locally Heavy Rain
HIGH:<\/strong> 67
LOW:<\/strong> 55
WINDS: SE 5-10 mph<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUNRISE<\/strong> 7:17 a.m.
SUNSET<\/strong> 7:59 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY<\/strong> Take along the rain jacket and umbrella as you head out the door, as widespread rain will be rolling through the area today. The most concentrated rain will prevail during the morning hours, with the rain becoming more scattered in nature late in the day. Amounts will range from 0.10-0.50+ and will likely be localized. Otherwise, expect overcast skies and highs in the mid-upper 60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TUESDAY<\/strong> – WEDNESDAY<\/strong> Scattered showers continue for most of Tuesday before tapering off Wednesday morning. Cooler temperatures arrive with highs in the low to mid-60s. It will be breezy as winds come from the north at 10-20 mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THURSDAY <\/strong> Cool and quiet conditions will prevail with more sunshine and highs in the mid-upper 60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRIDAY <\/strong> Plenty of sunshine is on tap, with slightly warmer air returning to the area. Afternoon highs will reach the mid-70s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEEKEND WEATHER<\/strong> Sunshine will continue to dominate over the weekend, with highs in the low-mid 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LOOKING AHEAD<\/strong> The overall pattern remains mostly dry and warmer than “average” into the fourth week of September, with the 8 to 14 day outlook placing West Michigan in a drier and warmer-than-normal pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n