First, on behalf of the bloggers here and the Weather Center I would like to congratulate Marks boy and his team for making it into the state playoffs in Dearborn. It has been an interesting winter to travel around the state however it makes things all worthwhile watching the kids bloom into future sports superstars. Good luck in the playoffs!
We are in the beginning phases of a more active weather pattern which will last for a week or more. We have a winter weather advisory which lasts until 7pm for Calhoun, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties – areas north of these counties the advisory lasts until 10pm. We will see a mixed bag of precipitation beginning as snow changing to freezing rain and drizzle. Snow amounts will likely be an inch or less and freezing rain around .10 of an inch driven by gusty winds over 25mph.
The next storm will move into Saturday night into Sunday which may begin with a little freezing rain but will change to all rain. We will have better info by Friday on this one….
Weather History
February 17
1973: Arctic air is in force across Lower Michigan with record lows of 19 below at Grand Rapids. Muskegon falls to 14 below zero, just shy of the record low for the day of 15 below set in 1904.
1979: A long spell of frigid weather during January and February results in Lake Michigan freezing over almost completely for the only time on record.
February 18
1926: A snowstorm drops 5 to 9 inches of snow across southern Lower Michigan. Lansing sets a record snow total for the day of 8.5 inches.
2014: Persistent cold weather and frequent snows during January and February result in a deep snow cover that persists through much of March. At Grand Rapids, the snow depth reaches 24 inches on this date, second only to the record of 25 inches set after the blizzard of late January, 1978.
February 19
1978: Record lows of 21 below zero at Lansing and 15 below at Grand Rapids contribute to this being the coldest February on record at Grand Rapids and the coldest of the 20th century at Lansing. The temperature never gets above freezing during the entire month at Lansing.
2016: Winds gusts to 70 mph in Grand Rapids and 66 mph in Jackson as a strong low pressure center moved across the Great Lakes. Lower Michigan was on the warm side of the storm with record highs around 60 degrees.
February 20
1898: A snowstorm dumps over a foot of snow on parts of Lower Michigan on the 20th to the 21st. Grand Rapids has 11 inches from this storm and almost 30 inches for the month of February.
1951: Ice jam flooding along the Grand River in Portland damages several buildings and forces the evacuation of some neighborhoods near the river.
2015: This is the coldest morning of one of the coldest months on record at Grand Rapids as the temperature falls to a record cold 13 degrees below zero. The monthly mean temperature of 13.3 degrees makes this the coldest February on record and the fourth coldest month ever.
February 21
1986: Lake Michigan water levels are near record highs. Coastal flooding and erosion is a concern during winter storms along the shore.
February 22
1930: Record warmth prevails with highs in the upper 60s across much of southern Lower Michigan. At Grand Rapids, highs are in the upper 50s or 60s every day from the 19th to the 25th.
February 23
2000: Warm air surges into Lower Michigan with temperatures reaching the 60s. Grand Rapids sets a record high of 63 degrees and Muskegon hits 60 degrees.
In just two weeks, the average high will be in the 40s. Spring is within sight.
https://www.weather.gov/grr/weatherstory
A powerful storm system lifting through the Great Lakes will bring the potential for very strong winds and periods of dangerous travel this weekend. It’s still several days out and not certain yet, but Sunday has the potential to be a higher-end wind storm than we typically see here in Michigan. The next few days will be quiet, and a good time to make preparations for a power outage. Travel on Sunday also looks dangerous as we return to the near whiteout conditions (from snow and blowing snow) we have seen a number of times over the past few weeks. Winds will be even stronger this time, however. Stay tuned to our social media feeds or weather.gov/grandrapids for updates as we get closer to the weekend.
And then next week will be mid winter like! Lows in the teens with snow!!!
Forget Spring! The snow maps are starting to get revved up! Bring it!
https://www.instantweathermaps.com/GFS-php/conussfc.php?run=2019022018&time=PER&var=ASNOWI&hour=384
Major winter storm possible this weekend Genesis bomb out right over the state of Michigan with possible tropical force winds heavy rain heavy snow this one berrs watching it may have it all …Love getting close to March sometimes March has the best storms this could be a BIG Daddy in our area stay tuned…INDY!!
Let’s hope this baby moves to the southeast and brings us more snow! Either way the wind sounds bad – we don’t need anymore power outages!
Sounds like lots of wind, hopefully the power outages won’t be like a couple weeks ago..
We don’t need any of this- wind, snow ice or rain. We have had enough. I like my power on & my house warm. The people in Portland have had enough flooding too. Bring on SPRING! 🙂
Who knew?
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/hazards_d8_14_contours.png
Getting some drizzle now. 33 here but 22 windchill with the cold east wind.
WWA for late morning? What a joke! It’s almost 2pm and the radar is still clear.
More melting for the next 5 days! Will GR fall back below average snowfall? Stay tuned.
Roads are great here. I made it to pt and stopped at the library no problem. I hear we are in for a snow storm next Tuesday with several inches expected. As far as today goes I guess they are still saying some freezing drizzle this afternoon.
Now you are talking! Bring on the snow!
WWA? Epic dud?
No kidding. No snow here. I guess they’re still expecting some freezing drizzle this afternoon, but I will believe it when I see it.
Weather alert>>>>>Starting next week Tuesday we will be making a huge transition back to mid winter like weather! We will be seeing well below normal temps and plenty of snow chances! We are in for a wild ride and this winter ride will last at least 2 to 3 weeks! What a winter! Rock and roll rules!
Next week looks great if you like cold and snow! Bring it!