At 5 a.m., it was a very chilly morning in Otsego, with a temperature of 12°. Bittersweet Ski Resort is making snow (I can see the floodlights from my house). They have an 18-inch base, with 64% of the slopes and 74% of the trails open. They have 20 runs and 6 chair lifts.
Yesterday’s high was 21°, and the morning low was 9°. We had 2 inches of snowfall, bringing our total to 6.1 inches for the month and 29.5 inches since November 21st.
Our cold pattern with high temperatures only in the lower to mid-20s will continue for the next several days in SW Michigan. No major winter storms are expected through the upcoming week. The next chance of any appreciable lake-effect snow holds off until Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Here are current Michigan weather observations, a Michigan weather map, and the latest Grand Rapids National Weather Service Forecast Discussion.
SW Michigan Snowfall
Lake effect snow showers brought notable accumulations for areas near and west of US131. The highest accumulations were across Northwestern Ottawa into Northeastern Allegan counties where the heaviest bands set up.
NWS SW Michigan Forecast
Still cold today, but not as windy as the last couple of days. Morning sun for some areas, otherwise clouding over. Lake effect snow showers will occasionally affect the Ludington area.
SE Forecast
Cold temperatures persisting with scattered lake effect snow showers returning tomorrow, this time off of Lake Huron.
North Forecast
Lake effect snow showers will continue today over northwest lower and eastern upper. Visibilities will be reduced at times under more moderate to heavier bands of snow showers. Accumulations will remain lighter today (up to a couple inches) due to winds changing directions through the afternoon from northwest to north and spreading the snowfall over a larger area. Winds will diminish through the afternoon hours. Colder temperatures tonight.
U.P. Forecast
Clouds build back over the west half overnight, with the east half seeing breezy conditions with a fluffy inch or two of snow falling overnight. Temperatures overnight will fall to the single digits for much of the west half. More light lake-effect snow is to fall on Sunday, with highs around 20.
A major winter system is passing to our south today – here is the forecast graphic for Topeka Kansas:
Snow will continue north with a transition from sleet and freezing rain to all snow this morning south. Blizzard conditions are expected across most of the area this morning and afternoon. Do not travel today!
Weather History
1912: Arctic air dominates Lower Michigan during the coldest January on record. Muskegon plunges to 12 below zero for a record low for the date.
1998: Moist southerly flow brings warm and wet weather to Lower Michigan. Highs in the 50s follow morning lows in the 40s as several days of thawing weather are observed during the first week of January.
1946: Record highs are set for a second day in a row across Lower Michigan as temperatures reach the mid and upper 50s.
On January 5, 2014, a strengthening low pressure system passed just southeast of the area and dropped significant snowfall across all of Southeast Michigan. The heaviest snow fell along the I-69 corridor where 14-18 inches was reported, including 17.1 at Flint – their 3rd largest snow storm on record! Detroit measured 10.6 inches, good for its 24th largest snowfall on record, while Saginaw reported 8.8 inches. In addition, the National Weather Service office in White Lake measured 14.6 inches, the largest snowfall in its abbreviated climate record which began in 1995.
Also, on January 5, 2005, the city of Saline in Washtenaw County was hit with a snowstorm and received a total of 8.5 inches of snow. This snowstorm lasted through the 6th.
GR is already approaching 40 inchesof seasonal snowfall! Breaking news….. we are above normal for snowfall! How could it be?
Good call Indy on the over performing WWA the other day!
In looking at west Michigan CoCoRahs reports the most snowfall I can find since January 1st is 5.5″ at one location and 5″ at another. Most locations reported .5″ to 3″ so not really a big deal. There will be much more snow well to our south this weekend.
Slim
15 here currently. Not much of a breeze and sun is out, so it’s not horrible. Have a great Sunday, friends.
Horrible? It is Awesome baby! Skiing here I come!
Places in Kansas are going to get more snow in a day then I have got all season. Outside of lake effect snow areas, much of Michigan has not got much snow this season yet.
That low snowfall might just be the case the rest of this winter season. But hey it makes driving much easer.
Slim
We will be seeing above normal snowfall the rest of this season, so get prepared and mark it down! It is going to be wild!!!! Take it to the bank!
As has been the case for several years now I have it marked down Rocky. I am not sure if many locations in Michigan will have above average snowfall this winter. But it is marked down.
Slim
It is a lock for GR! Incredible!
The official H/L yesterday at GRR was 21/14 there was a trace of snow fall the snow depth was 2”. The highest wind gust was 28 MPH out of the NW. There was no sunshine. For today the average H/L is 32/20 the record high of 55 was in 1946 the coldest high of 5 was in 1912 the record low of -9 was in 1968,2018 the warmest low of 45 was in 2007. The most rainfall of 0.78” was in 1998 the most snowfall of 8.0” was in 2012 the most on the ground was 17” in 1999.
Slim