GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Friday night’s thunderstorms left behind a muddy mess in West Michigan. But why?
WHAT HAPPENED?
The dirtiest rain in recent memory blanketed cars, windows and other surfaces after thunderstorms produced downpours around the Grand Rapids area. It was most notable on cars, with a thick brown mud-like substance caked on.
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‘Mud rain’ coats a car in Grand Rapids on Friday, April 18.
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‘Mud rain’ coats a car in Grand Rapids on Friday, April 18.
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‘Mud rain’ coats a car in Grand Rapids on Friday, April 18.
WHY DID IT HAPPEN?
Much like the dust that produced West Michigan’s worst air quality on record last month, the answer likely lies in a windy Plains region. Dust and dirt from the Plains and southwestern United States was likely picked up by strong winds and lofted into the atmosphere. An approaching cold front concentrated the dust and shoved it north, along with the moisture and warmer temperatures.
As thunderstorms moved into West Michigan Friday evening, the raindrops then collected the dust in the atmosphere and brought it down to the surface, leaving a coating behind.
The National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids hypothesized that the culprit was likely strong winds in New Mexico Thursday that lofted the dust into the atmosphere to begin with.
WHEN’S A GOOD TIME TO CLEAN IT OFF?
Area car washes are likely to be packed with drivers hoping to remove the muddy paste from their vehicles.
A car covered in ‘mud rain’ goes through a West Michigan car wash on Friday, April 18. (Courtesy)
For those looking to clean their rides at home, the weather looks cooperative, with rain-free conditions anticipated through the day Saturday along with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the middle 50s.
The next chance of rain is expected to arrive later Sunday.
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