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January 12 – Snow Continues – The Michigan Weather Center
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January 12 – Snow Continues

We are finally living up to our reputation of the Winter Wonder Land.  A low-pressure system moving through the Great Lakes will bring snow to the area today. The snow may mix with or change to drizzle and freezing drizzle this afternoon. Given temperatures near or above freezing, we are not expecting widespread travel impacts today. A few slippery spots will be possible. South winds of 15 to 25 mph will make it feel colder.

We briefly reached 33° yesterday after a low of 24°.  There was 5.5 inches of system and lake-effect snow in the past two days, 12.7 inches in January, and 36.1 inches since November.  We are close to last winter’s total snowfall.


Michigan Forecasts

SW Michigan

 

SE Michigan

 

Northern Michigan

 

U.P.

 


Forecast Discussion

- Minor Snow Accumulation Today, Slight Chance of Mix

The warm advection side of an approaching low is highly likely to
provide about 0.5 to 2 inches of snow to the whole area today (the
higher amounts favored near and north of Muskegon to Big Rapids).
Temperatures during the afternoon will climb to about 30-35, warmest
near Lake Michigan north of Holland. The long story short, while
some limited/minor impacts to road conditions are expected today,
the more challenging winter weather arriving for Sunday night
through Tuesday will be more warranting of a winter weather advisory.

Longer story, early this morning there is ongoing virga from clouds
in the DGZ above 9000 feet that will eventually overcome drier air
beneath. This is already happening near and north of Holland and Big
Rapids where a layer of lower-level clouds have been available
feeders for the seeders aloft. The mid-upper levels are expected to
continue producing light snow through mid-afternoon in association
with lift in the poleward exit region of an intensifying jet streak,
and this precip area can be seen on radar mosaics extending from
southern Michigan to Missouri. Later in the afternoon, but before
the cold front arrives later in the evening, the mid-upper levels
and DGZ desaturate and leave low-level clouds warmer than -10C which
may produce a little freezing drizzle.

Areas near and north of Muskegon are a little tricker, as
southeasterly winds become southerly then southwest as the day goes
on, providing some lake enhanced low-level moisture and lift.
However, wet bulb zero heights near Lake Michigan may climb to 1000
feet by late afternoon, so some rain may mix in.

Lapse rates steepen and colder air starts moving in as a cold front
sweeps through the area between 6 and 10 PM. This may convert precip
to more showery bursts of snow, though the arrival of much colder
air may be a little delayed until later in the night, so this may
make impacts more manageable (flash freeze during the evening not as
much of a concern).

- Becoming Colder with Lake Effect Snow Sunday Night to Tuesday

850 mb temperatures drop from -7C Sunday evening to -14C Monday
morning, then bottom out near -20C Monday night to Tuesday morning
as an upper-level polar low from the Canadian subarctic swings
through. Lake effect snow is likely in the westerly flow late Sunday
night to Monday night, becoming more northwesterly flow on Tuesday.
The lake effect convective layer late Sun night and Mon daytime is
shallow but much of the DGZ should be saturated during that time.
Winds 25 to 35 knots in the cloud layer will help carry snow farther
inland, mostly affecting the three tiers of counties downwind of the
lake. Downwind confluence and synoptic-scale dynamic lift will
support snow showers reaching the Lansing/Jackson areas and beyond,
especially later Mon into the night.

Snow totals Mon-Tue appear to be on the order of 1 to 4 inches
conservatively, though impacts will be a little greater due to the
colder temperatures and winds with pockets of blowing/drifting snow.
Wind chills will be in the single digits Mon-Tue and occasionally
below zero. Mon night to Tue morning is the focus for the worst
conditions as the polar low/trough swings through.
newest oldest
INDY
INDY

What a snowy day today what will it be tomorrow ice shaking ice fishing sledding build a snowman make some snow angles?? It’s the most wonderful time of the year in west Michigan. ❤️ INDY

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

I might go for a snowshoe hike! Awesome!

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

We are getting absolutely pummeled with Snow as we speak! Let it snow, let it snow, let it SNOW!!

INDY
INDY

+10000…INDY

Slim

Snowfall update. I just took a snowfall measurement and todays total is now at 1.5″ the snow is now winding down and there is a total of 4″ now on the ground.
Slim

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

BREAKING News>>>>>GR already over 40 inches of seasonal snowfall. Well on our way to above normal winter! Wow, just wow, WOW!!!

Kyle (Portland, Ionia County)
Kyle (Portland, Ionia County)

Visibilities reduced here from the snow. Coming down at a steady pace. Love it! January is one to the best months in Michigan!

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)
INDY
INDY

Current conditions out at thee YARDOFBRICKS moderate to heavy snow falling its a beautiful thing…INDY

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

What a winter! We are already seeing travel impacts from the snow! When will they issue a WWA? Incredible!

INDY
INDY

Im thinking WWA coming this afternoon close to Winter storm criteria for Tuesday through Wednesday for west Michigan several inches of snow will fall with wind what a Winter we are having lets Gooo… INDY

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

What? You mean we are having a cold and snowy winter! Who would have thought? Incredible!

Slim

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 32/24 there was 0.2” of snowfall there was 3” of snow on the ground. The sun was out 13% of the possible time. The highest wind was 15 MPH out of the W. For today the average H/L is 31/19 the record high of 57 was in 2013 the coldest high of 8 was in 1912. The record low of -14 was in 1918 the warmest low of 39 was in 2013. The wettest of 1.85” was in 1960 the most snowfall of 10.0” was in 1918 the most on the ground… Read more »

Slim

The overnight low in MBY was 25 and there was 0.2” of snowfall. At the current time it is cloudy and 26.
Slim

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

Let it SNOW! The snow just keeps coming and coming and coming and coming! This despite people trying to say it is a mild winter and a dry January! Too funny! Get ready for the arctic air this coming week with more snow! How is that possible?