In Michigan, more than 6 inches of rain fell in some places last week.

Michigan has definitely had several heavy rains this past week. Rainfall amounts vary greatly, from pleasant amounts for the garden to amounts equivalent to more than two months of rain in one week.

The following maps are satellite estimates of total rainfall since June 19. Satellite estimates are accurate to within a few tenths of an inch. In fact, we have found that satellite estimates for every inch of ground give us a much better picture of the rainfall situation than sparsely scattered rain gauges.

For those of you who have had rain this week that seemed like it never stopped, you might be surprised to know that some places received less than an inch of rain last week. For areas with lighter rain, just think of the places that have had nearly two months of rain in the last seven days.

This is a very common rain pattern during the warm months in the Great Lakes region and the Midwest – precipitation amounts are irregular.

The heaviest rainfall last week fell between Manistee, Ludington and Irons. A strip of the far northern Lower also saw heavy rainfall. The western Upper Peninsula was also drenched. The least rainfall last week was recorded in an area between Lansing and Detroit.

Red areas near Ludington and Scottville have received 5 to 6 inches of rain since June 19. Irons, about 20 miles east of Manistee, received 6 inches of rain last week. In some parts of Oakland County and Livingston County, rainfall has been less than 1/8 inch.

The northern part of Michigan was hit hardest by heavy rains, with all of the yellow areas on the map below receiving at least 2 inches of rain. A broad swath from Boyne City and East Jordan to Alpena and Rogers City was drenched with over 4 inches of rain.

Here are the exact totals for some cities in Michigan based on official rain gauge records.

The current weather scenario with thunderstorms every two to three days is likely to continue for at least the next two weeks.