GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The final day of April was sunny with a high of 73 degrees, which was an anomaly for the month.
It was that way for much of the eastern U.S., where only one location east of the Rockies — southern Florida — enjoyed above average temperatures. It turned out to be the seventh coldest April across the country since 1895.
One of the coldest Aprils on record across eastern U.S.
Only three days during the entire month were above average in Grand Rapids, and 14 of those days were 10 or more degrees below average. Of course, this all tallied up to an exceptionally cold April.
It was the fourth coldest April on record in Grand Rapids and third coldest in Muskegon. But for many in West Michigan, it was the chilliest of our lifetime considering it was the coldest April since 1975.
With an average temperature of 40.1 degrees, it ranked behind 1937, 1950 and 1975.
The cold brought snow as well. Grand Rapids ended the month with six inches of snow on the nose with a total of 77.7 inches this season. In Muskegon, there was 7.5 inches in April bring the total this season to 105.3 inches.
April was very cold around southwest Michigan and even winter-like at times, but it could have been worse.
For instance, Alpena received 30.7 inches — 24.9 inches above average — of snow during April, more than the city received during January and February combined.
The cold and snow wasn't just local. Green Bay, Wisconsin was hammered with its second-largest snowstorm on record this past April. It was the snowiest April ever with 36.7 inches — 32.7 inches above average.
In Minneapolis, it was the same story with 26.1 inches — 23.7 inches above average.
Now, the book is closed on April and there are positive signs that May will be a nice month overall.
There won't be temperature deviations from average like April. Second, the latest updated May temperature outlook from the Climate Prediction Center has the entire U.S. enjoying warmer than average temperatures.
Storm Team 8 is forecasting May's temperatures to be slightly below average. Regardless, it is safe to put away the winter jackets.