September heat breaks records across West Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Saturday's heat has pushed West Michigan's mid-September stretch to record-breaking territory.

High temperatures across West Michigan ranged from 85 to 90 degrees Saturday, significantly above average highs in the low 70s and not far from daily record levels.

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Perhaps more importantly, Saturday continued the stretch of 80-degree days the area has been enjoying for nearly two weeks.

Grand Rapids has broken the record for the most consecutive 80+ degree days in September, with the city recording 12 days between the 10th and 21st of the month. That breaks the old record of 11 days, the first 11 of the month back in 1961. Records for Grand Rapids date back to the late 1800s.

Muskegon's stretch also sits atop the record books as of Saturday, with an 11-day streak dating back to the 11th of the month. The old record of 10 days from 1947 has now fallen.

Kalamazoo's 12-day stretch is now the fourth highest, with the 18-day record from 1927 holding at number one.

Holland's 2024 11-day streak also sits at fourth, with the stretch from 1990 remaining the longest.

Battle Creek's 12-day stretch this year is tied for third longest, with the 14-day streak from 1961 remaining unbeaten.

Grand Rapids' September streak is also the longest of 2024, beating the 11-day stretch that occurred from late July into early August.

West Michigan's impressive streak will likely end on Sunday as rain arrives, though it's not impossible that a few communities will make a run at 80 degrees by early afternoon. A more substantial pattern change is moving in, with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s set to become commonplace through the upcoming week.

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