Latest news with #StormTeam8
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tornado watch issued near the Indiana state line
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A tornado watch has been issued for Southwestern Michigan counties as a line of storms is expected to move into the state. Inside Radar The watch is in effect for Berrien, Cass, St Joseph and Branch counties near the Indiana state line lasting through 8 p.m. Wednesday. The environment will be primed for strong to severe storms between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. as an area of low pressure moves overhead. The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of West Michigan in a slight risk (level 3 of 5) for severe weather. Intense thunderstorms capable of producing a few tornadoes, damaging wind gusts up to 75 mph and large hail greater than 1 inch in diameter will be possible. Storms will quickly move through, so have a way to receive weather alerts where you live. Severe chances drop to near zero by nightfall, with drier air working in by Thursday. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app Heavy rain will be another factor with Wednesday's storms and localized flash flooding is possible. All of us have a good chance of receiving half an inch of rain, but a few pockets of 2 to 4 inches of rain are possible. A few storms in Cass County were reported to have dropped 4 to 5 inches of rain in just a few hours Tuesday night. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter Stay with Storm Team 8 as we bring you updates on this situation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Father's Day weekend brings seasonable warmth, slight rain chances
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The weather over Father's Day weekend should cooperate with any outdoor plans as warm temperatures persist and just a few showers are expected in Southwest Michigan. Showers are possible with the greatest chance for rain sticking south near I-94 during the afternoon. For Grand Rapids and points north, the coverage of the rain will be very limited. Inside Radar Temperatures will lift near 80 degrees under a mostly cloudy sky with occasional breaks of sun. It will be relatively comfortable with dewpoints in the 50s. Saturday morning brings a chance of more broken up showers mainly favored near I-94. Clouds in the morning will thin out during the afternoon as the chance of rain diminishes. Temperatures are on track to rise a notch higher into the lower 80s for most locations courtesy of the increased sunshine. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter The nicest conditions of the weekend fortunately fall on Father's Day with some more sunshine in the mix and the rain chance falling near zero. It'll be just a touch more humid as dewpoints locally climb into the lower 60s. Stay with as we track more rain chances moving through the middle of June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Spongy moth population dropping, not gone in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the population has dropped in recent years, but the state isn't in the clear. The invasive pests are still destroying tens of thousands of acres of trees each year across Michigan. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter 'The most recent spongy moth outbreak reached its peak in 2021, but their numbers have been declining for the last few years,' the agency . Spongy moths were responsible for defoliating trees across 1.35 million acres in 2021. Those numbers have since dropped notably. The moths were responsible for approximately 386,000 acres in 2022, 156,000 acres in 2023 and roughly 169,000 acres in 2024. What to do if you find invasive Japanese knotweed 'These hungry caterpillars often group together on deciduous trees — those that shed their leaves seasonally,' the DNR says. 'They can strip trees of leaves and release BB-sized pellets of frass (droppings) on whatever is below.' The DNR says the caterpillars prefer oak and aspen leaves but have been found on hundreds of other plant species. from Michigan State University say spongy moth eggs are hatching now in the Lower Peninsula. The easiest way to find traces of the moths, before they are eating your leaves, is to look for egg masses. They are tan, fuzzy and about the size of a quarter. If the mass has small holes in it or appears to be falling apart, the eggs have likely already hatched. If not, you can get rid of the egg masses by drowning them in a bucket of soapy water or burning it. Ask Ellen: Why are invasive species so bad? If they have already hatched, the DNR recommends sweeping the caterpillars into a bucket of soapy water and allowing them to soak overnight. The DNR says there are available that are effective at killing the caterpillars/moths with little impact on humans, pets and other insects. There are other treatment options as well, including a 'Cut a strip of burlap 18 inches wide and long enough to go around the tree trunk and overlap,' the DNR says. 'Tie a string around the center of the band to make a two-layered skirt around the trunk. When the caterpillars climb the tree to eat, they will get caught in the band. You can scrape them into a bucket of soapy water and dispose.' The good news is trees can typically survive exposure to spongy moths. The DNR says the caterpillars usually feed for six to eight weeks and slow down by midsummer. Most hardwoods can re-leaf after that. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire smoke brings poor air quality back to West Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — An air quality alert has been issued for the Lower Peninsula through noon on Friday as smoke from Canadian wildfires lingers. On Thursday morning, the Air Quality Index reached unhealthy levels across much of the state with the smoke thick enough at the surface to contribute to reduced visibility. You may get an occasional campfire scent along with added congestion and eye irritation due to the smoke. During this time, strenuous outdoor activity is discouraged, especially for sensitive groups such as those with asthma or heart disease who could experience a greater impact. Young children and the elderly are more susceptible to the effects of poor air quality. Limiting outdoor burning and sources of air pollution is helpful. While the air quality alert is set to expire at noon on Friday, it's possible the smoke may stick around into the weekend with no significant forcing or pattern change coming in the next few days to help push the smoke away. Stay with Storm Team 8 as we continue to track the smoke. If you have photos of the smoke that you'd like to share with News 8, to submit them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hazy skies ahead: Wildfire smoke moving into Michigan Friday
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Dozens of wildfires are blazing in Canada as the Canadian province of Manitoba has declared a state of emergency. Wildfire smoke will begin drifting south Thursday night, carried by a northwest wind. Smoke is expected to arrive as soon as Friday afternoon with the passage of a cold front. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app That northwest wind is expected to remain in place throughout the weekend, keeping hazy skies around during that time. Clearer skies are expected to arrive Monday as winds begin to shift southwest. Despite near full sunshine expected Saturday and Sunday, blue skies will be limited. Stay with Storm Team 8 for the latest on any Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
