Snow showers, locally heavy at times, can be expected the next couple days as slow moving low pressure continues to impact the area. This morning the heaviest snow showers will be from Grand Rapids to the south and east. The snow showers will finally end for the weekend, although it will remain chilly.
We have a winter weather advisory east of 131 (blue counties) – Some of these snow showers could put down 2-4 inches relatively quickly where they set up and persist, such as the area of snow which has been persisting in Ionia county over the last few hours. The advisory expires at 1pm.
With the slowness of the movement of the low pressure system and winds coming from the northwest later today lake effect will develop west of 131.
So, Michigan is returning to its status as a winter wonderland – travel conditions will be slippery. We have to take a trip to Kalamazoo later today, with the variable weather conditions it looks to be a fun drive.
This week in weather history for SW Michigan:
March 4
1912: Subzero cold continues during one of the coldest months of March on record across Lower Michigan. Muskegon sets a record low of 2 below zero on this morning, during a spell of five straight days below zero.
March 5
1948: Arctic high pressure dominates the first half of the month of March with record lows this morning of 8 below zero at Grand Rapids and 5 below at Muskegon.
1976: Thunderstorms move over cold air near the ground to produce one of the worst ice storms in history across Wisconsin and Lower Michigan. From 2 to 5 inches of ice builds up on trees and power lines, resulting in hundreds of thousands of people without power, some for as long as ten days.
March 6
1956: Severe thunderstorms moved across Lower Michigan ahead of a strong cold front. A tornado destroyed five barns and unroofed homes in North Blendon and Bauer in Ottawa County.
March 7
1908: After heavy snow in February, heavy rains and warmer conditions set in, setting the stage for a disastrous flood. The Kalamazoo River flooded the town of Albion when the Homer Dam broke around 3 p.m. By midnight, the bridges surrounding town were underwater. Six buildings in Albion collapsed.
1999: Arctic air and several inches of fresh snow on the ground combine to drop temperatures to a record low of 13 below zero at Lansing.
2000: Temperatures reach the 70s during a record early season warm spell. Grand Rapids hits 72 degrees and Lansing 74 degrees
March 8
1943: Grand Rapids plummets to 13 below zero, the coldest ever recorded in March there. This caps a very cold period during the first ten days of the month, where four days had lows at or below zero at Grand Rapids.
2000: Temperatures soar into the upper 70s across Lower Michigan, with some places hitting 80 degrees. The 78 degrees at Grand Rapids is a record high for the date and for so early in the season.
2014: Severe and prolonged cold weather during the winter brought record ice coverage to Lake Michigan by early March. Ice coverage peaked at 93.29 percent on this date, just edging the record of 93.1 percent set in the winter of 1977.
2017: A powerful low pressure center moving through southern Canada brings winds gusting over 60 mph across Lower Michigan for much of the day. Winds reach 64 mph at Grand Rapids. The winds cause millions of dollars in damage and large scale power outages. Two people are killed when a tree falls on their vehicle while they were driving on M-115 in Clare County.
March 9
1996: Record subzero cold grips Lower Michigan with Grand Rapids and Lansing falling to 7 below zero and Muskegon hitting 6 below.
1998: Arctic air plunges across the Great Lakes after one of the warmest winters on record. The above normal water temperatures contribute to heavy lake effect snow squalls that produce blizzard conditions. From 8 to 12 inches of snow is piled into deep drifts by winds gusting over 40 mph.
March 10
1901: An ice storm across southwest Lower Michigan caused thousands of dollars in damage, and paralyzed telephone, telegraph, news wires and railroads. Streams were swollen as rain fell onto frozen ground, resulting in many washouts and accidents. Similar conditions were also reported for St. Joseph, Grand Haven, Ionia, Coldwater and Kalamazoo.
1993: A snowstorm drops 6 to 8 inches of snow across southwest Lower Michigan. Record daily snowfall includes 6.2 inches at Grand Rapids and 6.4 inches at Muskegon.
ADA – just stepped outside…we are underneath one of the dreaded “snowbursts”. Back to white everywhere once again.
What a great winter day outside! What a great week of winter weather! Skiing here I come baby! Lets keep the skiing going till April!
Nah! Everyone’s welcoming the 50’s next week!
Whoa!! Saw a snowflake out there! Very stormy right now! Look out!!
What a storm, what a WINTER! Above normal snowfall – nothing like last year and I may be skiing till April at this rate! I love it!
So if we get a couple of showers in the spring that qualifies as a storm now, since every inch or two of snow we get now is a STORM! Got it!! Lol!! So glad all this winter garbage is gonna be over in about a week!
Mookie is factually 100 incorrect with his statement that “the ski resorts are closed”! All of the ski resorts are open North of town and ready to ROCK n ROLL! I will be heading up to Boyne MT at the the end of this week and may actually stop in Traverse City for some cross country skiing! Cross country skiing you say? TC picked up 8 inches of snow this week and counting! Absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL Talking 200 miles north again.
What a storm, we picked up 3.5 inches of snow last night! What a winter! We are now above normal in snowfall for the season and the month of March! WOW!
ADA – “best average” of overnight snowfall is three inches. Heavy, wet snow.
So this classifies as a storm now?? Here’s a snap shot behind work this morning. Look closely, yes, there is some snow on the roof of that building. What a storm!!!
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=NuVqmzAy%2FKxPRFkit3GzOoh4l5k2TGxc#.WqAPaxpOmhA
Rooftops are still covered here.
Lol ! That’s no winter storm.
74 inches of snow now for the winter season .. Not to bad of a winter but I’m ready for spring this week looks to be cool with more snow showers hopefully we get warmer soon.. INDYDOG14!!
Incorrect. As of 9am, GR is just over 70″ for the season. Just about average.
We’re now up to 21 consecutive days without a below average day! And any meager snowfall received will soon be melted. The ski resorts remain closed. And the models are in agreement about a big warm up in a week or less.
More SNOW for next week! Bring it on! Rock n Roll!
http://www.instantweathermaps.com/GFS-php/conussfc.php?run=2018030706&time=PER&var=ASNOWI&hour=384
GR get ready for 2 to 4 more inches!! Snow country get ready for great skiing this weekend!
School closings and a WWA in March! What a winter and what a storm! Our trend of above normal snowfall continues and has been here all season! Who knew?
Let me Answer Mookie’s question from yesterday when he was calling this week a bust! Mookie –
“What happened to all the snow you said GR would get this week?!”
It is here and happening all week just like I said! Another BINGO for the RDB!
We got pounded with snow last night and now are in a WWA! Who would have thought? INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have an additional 2″ of heavy, sticky snow this morning.
The big story is the northeast again. Some populated areas could receive up to 2 feet of snow.
Kids got the day off here. I would say a good 4-5 inches fell here last night. Made the kids day. Not mine. Lol.