The feature image is from the Bittersweet webcam – lots of people braving the cold air waiting for the lift to go back up the hill.
Winter Storm Warning: Mason, Oceana and Muskegon counties – Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches, with localized amounts up to 11 inches, are expected. Snowfall rates in the heaviest bands are forecasted to exceed an inch per hour.
Winter Weather Advisory: Lake, Newaygo and Ottawa counties. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with localized amounts up to 8 inches, are expected.
Lake effect snow showers will become heavy at times this afternoon into the Friday morning commute. Local snowfall amounts of over 8 inches is possible near US-31 north of Muskegon causing travel impacts. Inland of that less snowfall is expected during that time.
Lake effect snow showers will persist through much of the period. An increased risk for impacts exist Friday night into Saturday near the lake shore. Going through next week…areas near Lake Michigan may see on and off impacts through the period due to continued snow shower activity. Later Tuesday night and into Wednesday the snow showers may stretch further inland as a low pressure system tracks through.
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I saw half a dozen people fishing on the Pine River reservoir on the south side of Jefferson Road. There is a dam there where it flows into the Kalamazoo river. A bit to cold for me to brave the ice. I am sure this Arctic air has been great for ice formation, but still check the ice thickness before you go out. Ice is forming on Lake Michigan photos above – don’t go out there! Below is the graphic of the ice coverage and water temperatures. Ice coverage for the Great Lakes is at 9.4%.
Here is the graphic for expected snow fall today through early Friday P.M.
An area of low pressure will track through the region today and tonight. This system will result in locally heavy snowfall…especially near the lakeshore impacting travel. Another low pressure system arrives for Friday night into Saturday. As a result additional snowfall is forecast. The arctic airmass is forecasted to continue through the end of the week.
The current set of headlines is supported by the most recent model runs so no changes at this time. Considerable variability in how much snow we see exists…but most models support at least 8 inches for parts of the warning area through Friday morning. Given the stronger low level convergence which leads to increased lift later this afternoon and into the evening…snowfall rates in the better banding should top an inch per hour. If rates go up over 2 inches per hour or the band stalls out…amounts could easily top 10 inches.
Will need to monitor Ottawa county for a possible upgrade. Also if a burst of snow arrives around Grand Rapids daybreak Friday…the morning commute could be impacted. The next system will be upon us for Friday night into Saturday morning. We may need to extend or issue new headlines for southwest parts of the region for possible advisory impacts. Cold wind chills to start the morning today…most locations 10 to 15 degrees below zero.
A more widespread snow seems to be in the offering late Tuesday night into Wednesday as a clipper system moves in. This will perk up the lake effect, as well as bring snow farther inland. Another Arctic piercing dagger follows this system for late next week stabbing the Great Lakes region with air originating from the frozen tundra of Northern Alaska and Canada once again. Thu and Fri of the new year should be just as cold as this upcoming weekend, with subzero overnight lows again possible.
Today: Snow showers likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 13. Wind chill values as low as -11. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight: Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 9. Wind chill values as low as -3. South wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Friday: Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 19. West wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around 2 inches.
Friday Night: Snow showers. Low around 11. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around 3 inches.
Saturday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 12.
Sunday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5.
New Year’s Day: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 13.
Monday Night: A chance of snow showers, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6.
Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 15.
Tuesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8.
Wednesday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17.
How ’bout those Spartans??
This cold, bitterness has got to go. I don’t mind the snow but the cold is too much. I guess after the milder winters we’ve had I forget how cold it can be. LOL!!
Nother night below 0 out at thee YARDofBRICKS.. wife’s car would not start this morning had to jump start it .. old man winter is kicking it this year yeaaaa!! INDYDOG!!
It’s funny how quickly your body can acclimate. I just came in from wrenching on my car, and 11° doesn’t feel too bad.
Lol! I know! It’s funny because it’s like 20 degrees warmer than it was this morning here!
That would feel like a heat wave!!! LOL!!
Climatology for today December 28th At Grand Rapids, MI °
The average H/L is 32/20
The record high is 65° set in 1984 the coldest maximum is 9° set in 1924
The old record low was -9° set in 2000 the new record low is now -10° set today
The record warmest minimum is 44° set in1984
The most snow fall is 5.4” set in 1999
The most snow on the ground is 19” set in 1951
Last year the H/L was 39/24 a trace of snow on the ground was reported.
Slim
RECORD LOW REPORT
For the 2nd night in a row Grand Rapids set a new record low last night with a reported low of -10° this brakes the old record of -9° set in 2009. This is the first time Grand Rapids has had back to back lows of at or below -10° since 1994 when Grand Rapids had lows of -16° and -22° back to back. NOTE here at my house the low last night was not as cold with a low of -6° here. It is now 0° at my house and cloudy skies.
Slim
Winter in Michigan! Cold and snow rules! Skiing up North is incredible!
-6 here n Livonia this morning, dang cold! We’ve been here for several days, but heading home this morning. We got a carbon monoxide alert from our house last night, must be something out of wack with our furnace. Luckily our older kids who were home were alerted and got out. Spent the night at their grandparents house.
-12 out at thee YARDofBRICKS.. been since 1978 I believe GR had back to back – lows in the teens …. Baby it’s cold outside!! Who would of thought.. INDYDOG!!
Grand Rapids had lows of -10° then -16° on January 15 and 16 in 1994 then on the 18th and 19th the lows were -16° and -22°
Slim