We have had snowfall over the past nine days in Otsego, and while not excessive at this point, it has totaled 13.2 for the month thus far and 36.6 inches since November 21st. This week, we will add to this total as the lake effect snow machine ramps up.
Cold air sweeps in today dropping temperatures below the 20-degree mark which will continue into Wednesday. When these temperatures combine with snow it usually produces snow and ice-covered roads as salt is less effective. You will need to slow down if traveling and prepare for slippery conditions. Worst conditions: Tonight/Tuesday near and west of U.S. Highway 131.
Winter Weather Advisory
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 AM EST WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Lake Effect Snow and areas of blowing and drifting snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches with isolated higher amounts possible. * WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Michigan. * WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 1 AM EST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Visibility and road conditions may change rapidly over short distances in lake effect snow. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes.

Cold temperatures (below +20F) will sweep in this morning and remain in place through Tuesday night. Lake effect snow will increase in coverage and intensity tonight lasting into Tuesday. The combination of cold and snow will create hazardous travel. Salt is less effective at these temperatures so slippery conditions will be common, especially along and west of Highway 131.
Colder Air this Weekend

Another blast of arctic air looks like it’s headed into the central US next weekend…a piece of which may move over the Great Lakes. Temperatures will likely be well below normal. Lake effect snow will develop, but accumulations may be held in check by smaller flake size typical with arctic air.
Forecast Discussion
- Colder Temperatures, Snow, and Travel Impacts Till Tuesday Night A visit of colder sfc-850 mb air and an upper-level low from the Canadian arctic will bring frequent lake-effect snow showers with gusty winds that will create relatively challenging travel impacts through Tuesday. Considered starting a winter weather advisory this morning for roads icing up in falling temperatures with light lake effect snow that may impact this morning`s commute. Some roads are indeed icy or snowy already, though snow production so far has been a little underwhelming, and a further lull is expected in between shortwaves this afternoon with drier upstream air. The core of the coldest air (about -20C at 850 mb) and the upper-level polar low arrives tonight into Tuesday, bringing an increase in lake effect snow and potentially hazardous travel conditions. Today the lake effect convective layer off the surface is fairly shallow, with limited synoptic-scale lift and drier upstream air. Cooling temperatures through the day may make the clouds more favorable for dendritic growth although QPF in the models is understandably pretty paltry during the afternoon. Cloud-layer winds 30 knots will help carry some snow showers pretty far inland. Tonight, gradual intensification of lake effect is expected with inversion heights climbing and better synoptic-scale lift with the approaching main trough. The west wind orientation favors multi banded lake effect, with the synoptic lift and cloud-layer winds favoring snow showers extending pretty far inland. A confluence zone may set up a more dominant and farther-extending band near I-96 toward the Lansing area, eventually affecting areas closer to I-94 as winds become a bit more northwesterly. Pockets of blowing snow are possible in open areas near and west of US-131. Wind chills are likely to drop below zero in many locations, and the colder temperatures and drifting snow may make road treatment more difficult. On Tuesday, banded lake-effect snow is likely to continue and shift around further as winds become more northwest. Wind gusts 25 to 30 mph are likely to become more frequent during the day, and with temperatures in the teens to lower 20s, the dry and powdery snow should be available for more blowing and drifting. - Lighter Snow Showers Wed-Thu Before a Brief Warmup Friday Snow showers should diminish though may not fully end in shortwave ridging with drying and warming 850 mb air going into Wednesday. The longer-wavelength pattern will remain very La Nina-like and keep recharging mean troughing over the region with visits from Alberta clipper shortwaves. Light accumulations of lake-enhanced snow is possible Wed Night to Thursday from the next clipper, though about a quarter of ECE members have little to no precip. Behind it, a brief visit of Pacific air is favored on Friday. A majority of ECE members sneak high temperatures into the mid 30s. An Ohio-valley tracking low may provide a mix of precipitation Friday night, though about half of ECE members produce little to no precip. Outlier solutions on the other end of the envelope offer a few inches of snow as a possibility. - Much Colder Likely Early Next Week Previewing next week, global ensembles are in very good agreement in a more substantial longwave trough amplifying over Canada and the central US, and a direct routing of Arctic air into the Midwest. 850 mb air around -30C is possible. Nearly all ECE members keep high temperatures for next week`s Mon and Tue colder than this week`s Mon and Tue.
What do you know – schools are open?
Ck it out! Snow in the short, mid and longe range! January = cold with tons of snow! Get outside and enjoy winter!!
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2025011318&fh=378
It looks nice and pretty outside right now. Much better than brown and dead!
You know it – nothing better than a fresh white snowfall and temps in the 20’s!
Perfect!
Wood shows school closing chances at moderate – I say for Kent and Ottawa Counties the chances are close to VERY HIGH! There will be tons of schools closed tomorrow! Mark it down!
What a winter! Cold and snow rules! Get prepared for tomorrow’s drive! Cold, snow, wind, slippery roads, school closings, etc, etc, etc! WOW!!!!
Historically speaking, Jan 20 – 29 is the coldest part of the year for us. Right on cue, temps next week may be 20-25 degrees below average.
I’ve noticed MLK day is always really cold. Same trend this year
I see the NWS has increased expected amounts from 2-4” to 3-5” with locally higher. Wow!
Who knew?
It’s been snowing on and off now for like 36 hours straight at my house not sure how that doesn’t add up to any big snows in January?? Anyways it’s still snowing outside Thank you ..INDY
Just think – some people said looks like a dry uneventful month! Too funny!
I measured 6 inches of snow on the ground out in my hood and its still snowing this will easily reach a foot or more by the end of the week im thinking….INDY
GR is set up for several inches of snow, with wind and cold! I wonder if an upgrade to a warning is in our future?
Cold and snow as far as the eye can see in the forecast. Perfect!
Haven’t seen a day without snow in a while and GR is above normal for seasonal snowfall and GR is set to some decent accumulating snow this week and beyond! What a winter – plenty of cold air and above snowfall! Wow, just wow, WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It just keeps coming!
And coming and coming and coming, yet some are still saying a mild winter with not much snow! How wrong can they be?
We are firmly in the grips of winter with no mild temps in sight!
Haven’t had a big snow in a month. January is running just about average snowfall after a below average snowfall December.
I think it has snowed every day this month so far? Next week is looking potentially *very* cold. We will see if this trend lasts into February, but January is going to end up being a very cold month when its finished
Below average temperatures and above Average Snowfall keeps stacking up over west Michigan im looking ahead around the 20th of January possibility of a big snow storm it’s still early but it’s something to track going forward…. enjoy the day INDY
I saw that. The models show two consecutive storms for that time. Currently, it shows both going to the south with the Ohio Valley getting hit by both – not to say that the track could move up towards MI.
I like these 1-2″ snowfalls that we keep getting. Makes for easy shoveling. It’s going to be dangerously cold starting this afternoon and for the subsequent 48 hours or so. Bundle up if you have to go outside.
Have a great Monday, friends!
Let it SNOW!