GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Parts of West Michigan are now experiencing their worst drought since 2012, according to new data.

A lack of rainfall extending back to the beginning of summer, only worsened by a dry September, is "adding up to the most significant drought we've had in the area since 2012," the NWS said in a Facebook post Thursday.

Storm Team 8 took a dive into the data driving the drought and its subsequent impacts heading into fall.

INTENSIFYING DROUGHT

The U.S. drought monitor, updated weekly on Thursdays, significantly expanded the moderate drought categorization. It also re-introduced severe drought through much of Ottawa and Kent counties. In addition to little rainfall, the monitor pointed to warm temperatures and low humidity to efficient evapotranspiration — the p

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