Grand Rapids, You’re About to Hear This Sound Again

If you've lived in Grand Rapids for any amount of time, there's one thing that tends to take you by surprise every spring, and that's when the city resumes its monthly test of outdoor warning sirens.

Well, I'm writing this in hopes that you (and I) won't be surprised on Friday when testing resumes for the season.

When Do the City of Grand Rapids Outdoor Warning Siren Tests Start?

According to a social media post from the City of Grand Rapids' Office of Emergency Management, the first test of the season will be held this Friday, April 3, 2026, at 12 p.m. (noon).

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The tests will continue at 12 p.m. on the first Friday of every month through October.

Why Does the City of Grand Rapids Test Its Outdoor Warning Sirens?

The tests aren't just done to scare the bejeezus out of you while you're just trying to get your job done in the middle of the day on a Friday. They serve a purpose.

The city wants to make sure the sirens are in proper working order in case they need to be used in a real emergency.

Why Will the City of Grand Rapids Postpone Outdoor Warning Siren Tests?

The city has assured the public that, while these tests are very important, they will not be conducted during bad or severe weather.