We have a winter weather advisory for the lakeshore counties and one county inland.
Mason-Lake-Oceana-Newaygo-Muskegon-Ottawa-Kent-Allegan-Barry-Van Buren and Kalamazoo County:
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations 2 to 4 inches. Isolated totals to 6 inches possible, especially across Mason, Lake, Ottawa, and Allegan Counties. * WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Michigan. * WHEN...Until 1 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.
A Winter Weather Advisory for lake effect snow is in effect for West Michigan today and tonight. Narrow bands of heavy snow will create reduced visibilities and slippery roads. Expect a slower than average morning commute.
Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight. A few narrow bands of heavy snow are likely to set up later this morning and last into tonight. Gusty winds will also be present and will likely lead to spots of blowing snow. Please use caution when traveling as localized heavier snowfall will lead to rapidly changing roadway conditions when driving in and out of heavier bands.
2024 Summary
2024 in Western and Mid Michigan will be seated among 2012, 1998, 1931, 1921, and 2023 for one of the warmest years on record of the past 130. And preliminary numbers suggest it will be competing with 2012 for Michigan’s warmest year on record. 2024’s warmth in Michigan is partly a result of a strong El Niño winter and also a background state of gradually rising average global temperatures. In our area, February was record warm, and it was a Top 10 warm month during March, September, and November. July was the only month that was even slightly below the 30-year normal. Summer heat waves were not much of a factor, as the whole summer averaged out to be only slightly warm. It was more about persistent warmth being observed across a few seasons. Warm spells were more common than cold spells, and the occasional very warm days were more common than very cold days. In terms of total precipitation, much of Southern Michigan was wetter than average, and much of Central Michigan was drier than average.
Weather History
1897: Warm and wet weather prevails as a cold front approaches. High temperatures in the 50s are followed by heavy rain. This is the wettest January day on record at Muskegon, with nearly 5 inches of rain.
1918: The temperature falls to a record low of 16 below zero at Muskegon during one of the coldest months on record in Lower Michigan.
On January 3, 1879, the second day in a row of record lows were reported at Detroit. Today the temperature was a cold 15 degrees below zero.
Forecast Discussion
- Lake effect snow through Friday night Snow showers continue to amplify overnight into this morning. The strongest snow band so far is currently setting up over Ottawa county and moving to the south east. A shortwave trough will intensify lake effect snow showers through Friday morning. Expect 1 to 3 inches of snow this morning with locally higher amounts possible. This will affect morning commutes, especially in Allegan, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Ottawa and Mason counties. The RAP has so far done the best job of the CAMS in showing the lake effect formation. Between 12Z to 18Z, strong forcing due to the -16C air over the Lake will bring heavy snow bands across the I 94 corridor west of Battle Creek. Use caution and allow for extra time for any travel as roads will become slippery and snow covered. The strongest forcing will weaken this afternoon. However winds will pick up, upwards of 25 to 30 mph. This could cause quick reductions to visibility. If traveling, please slow for conditions and allow yourself extra time. Colder air will continue to infiltrate into the region tonight which should spark another intense lake effect band Friday night. Those bands could linger until around 1 AM and bring an additional 1 to 2 inches. Due to that have expanded the advisory to include Calhoun county and extended the advisory until 06Z Saturday. - Cold temperatures and chances for Snow Next Week Light lake effect snow showers will linger into Saturday morning. Cold air will continue to advect into the region with 850mb temperatures as low as -19C. That will drop surface temperatures to the teens Saturday morning. High temperatures Saturday will struggle to get into the 20s. The northwesterly flow will continue into Sunday, though as the trough moves eastward temperatures will slightly warm with highs on Sunday into the mid 20s. A strong upper level low will be making its way through the Central Plains and through the Ohio valley and central Appalachia. While this system will be far to our south, the fringe moisture from it should couple with downsloping flow over the lake to bring additional chances for snow late Sunday into Monday. Beyond Monday and looking into mid next week, a horizontally tilted trough could drop down due south from Canada through the region bringing another shot of cold air and more snow mid to late next week. So winter looks to continue.
Let it snow let it snow…Who doesn’t love snow who lol….INDY
GREAT NEWS ….. cold air as far as the eye can see and that means tons of snow is in our future! Nothing like above Normal snowfall winter! Bring it!!!
The perfect winter day outside get outside and enjoy it!! Snow and cold wow to the wow! INDY
It is great winter day!
3 inches of snow thus far today – 27.5 since November 21
Of course, GR was not quite as warm relative to average as the other locations. Which always happens. It’s unfortunate they continue to have temperature recording issues at GR.
My official stick a ruler in tht snow on the picnic table measurement…shy of 4 inches…
What a storm and the cold and snow just keeps coming and coming! Incredible!
2024 was in a 3 way tie with 1931 and 1921 for the 2nd warmest year on record at Grand Rapids. It was the warmest on record for years with a complete record at Lansing and Muskegon.
Slim
That is wild. Thanks Slim.
Wow! And some people were calling for a cold 2024 – whoops!
Facts people! Some were complaining about why we are in WWA today! 2 to 4 inches of snow and very slippery roads – that is why and the NWS is spot on!! Some people are saying it has been an easy mild winter! Facts – above normal snowfall and now mid winter cold! We are right on target for an above normal snowfall winter with multiple snowstorms! Face the facts – winter rocks and we are right in middle of a wild winter! Enjoy!!
The overnight low here and current temperature in MBY is 22. I recorded 1.5” of new snowfall and there is now 3” on the ground.
Slim
Yesterday’s official H/L at GRR was 28/24 there was 0.03” of precipitation that fell as 0.5” of snow. The highest wind was 25 MPH out of the W. There was no sunshine. For today the average H/L is 32/21 the record high of 59 was in 2004 the coldest high of 9 was in 1919 the record low of -9 was in 2014 the warmest low of 53 was in 1897 the record rainfall of 1.50” was in 1897. The most snowfall of 9.1” was in 1999 the most on the ground was 14” in 1979.
Slim