Southwest Michigan AMS and NWA Chapter

08/22/2026

The National Weather Service just marked a major operational milestone!

On August 6th, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and WFO Honolulu officially produced the first Unified Surface Analysis (USA) built entirely within the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS)!
Why does this matter? Mapping surface weather across the entire Northern Hemisphere (from 130°E to 10°E) used to require multiple centers juggling cumbersome legacy systems to stitch together weather fronts and isobar lines.

By migrating entirely to AWIPS, NWS has unlocked huge advantages:
Real-Time Collaboration: Meteorologists across multiple forecast centers now view and map hazards together on one synchronized platform.
AI & Machine Learning Integration: Direct integration of NOAA’s AI weather models provides "first-guess" identification of tropical waves and fronts.
40% Reduction in Drafting Time: Forecasters spend less time manually drawing lines and more time on high-impact decision support.
Cloud Readiness: This baseline upgrade prepares the NWS for future cloud migration (HIVE/CIRRUS).
This transition modernizes how we track large-scale weather systems to keep the public safe and informed!

Explore the latest surface analysis maps live at: ocean.weather.gov

08/20/2026

This is a summary of a 9 day severe storm and flooding event over the Lower Great Lakes from August 9th through the 17th.

Links to NWS Storm Reports Northern Indian Storm Report Chicago Area Storm Report Storm Prediction Center Information

08/14/2026

This is the July 2026 climate summary. The CONUS was the warmest on record, mostly due to warmer than normal minimum temperatures rather than the maximum temperature. It was drier than normal, actually in the top third driest on record (1895).

Visit the post for more.

08/10/2026

The Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society State of the Climate Report for 2025 is now available.

Notable findings from the international report include:
🔴 Earth’s greenhouse gas concentrations were the highest on record.
🔴 Record and near-record temperatures were observed across the globe.
🔴 Despite cool ENSO and weak La Niña conditions, sea surface temperatures were at near-record-high levels.
🔴 Ocean heat and global sea level were the highest on record.
🔴 The Arctic saw near-record warmth.
🔴 Antarctica saw record warmth and continued low sea ice.
🔴 Glaciers around the world continued to melt.
🔴 Tropical cyclone activity was above average.

Learn more about : ametsoc.org/soc

08/10/2026

🚨Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Level 1 training is back this fall!

The City of Grand Rapids Office of Emergency Management is offering two CERT Level 1 sessions:
📅 English: Wednesday, August 19 – FULL
📅 Spanish: Thursday, September 10 – Seats still available!

This free, 3-hour course equips you with the basics to help yourself and your family when disaster strikes. 🌪️

Spots fill quickly! If you’re looking for an English session, join our CERT Interest List to be the first to hear when future classes open (Spring 2027).

👉 Join the CERT Interest List:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/nMxWEANGhQ

Ready to register for the September 10 Spanish class?
👉 Register here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/FFv90ZWsr4

Learn more at grandrapidsmi.gov/departments/emergency-management/cert-program. You otter come to CERT training and learn skills that can make a difference in an emergency! 🦦



Hispanic Center of Western Michigan El Vocero Hispano

08/09/2026

A line of storms will begin to move in across the area after 3 pm this afternoon. The main threat will be along and south of I-96. Damaging winds will be the main threat, along with heavy rainfall. There is a small chance of hail, and an isolated tornado will be possible along I-94.

08/06/2026

A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine highlights our expanding ability to understand climate change's role in specific extreme events. AMS spoke with report committee chair James Hurrell Colorado State University Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering to learn more.

Read more on AMS Headlines 🗞️: https://bit.ly/4wGP4ur

08/06/2026

Join us today at Uccellos Ristorante for our Southwest Michigan AMS/NWA Chapter fundraiser!

Stop in anytime between 11a - 9p, dine in or carryout, and show the fundraiser flyer (physical or digital) and 15% of your sale will be donated to our Chapter.

Funds raised will help support local weather education, outreach, guest speakers, and community programing in Southwest Michigan.

📍 Uccello’s Caledonia Location
8256 Broadmoor Ave SE
🗓️ Today, Thursday, August 6
⏰ 11 AM–9 PM
🍽️ Dine-in or carryout

08/05/2026

08/04/2026

Come see us this evening at South Christian High School for National Night Out!