Wintry conditions are contributing to multiple accidents across West Michigan. The Kent County Sheriff’s Department is encouraging drivers to use caution and slow speeds down, especially along and north of I-96. The attached photo was submitted by Laurie Savastano, of a vehicle slide off on northbound U.S. 131 north of West River Drive in Kent County. So far we’ve seen mainly snow and some sleet across our northern counties, rain/snow/sleet across Ottawa, Kent, and Ionia Counties, and mainly just rain showers across our southern counties.
Temperatures have been hovering at or slightly above the freezing mark from Grand Rapids northward, while they remain well into the upper 30s south where the precipitation has been primarily liquid. Our FOX 17 photographers have reported at least a handful of roll-over accidents, slide-offs, and cars in ditches through Sunday afternoon and into the early evening. Most of the mishaps and accidents have occurred around or north of Grand Rapids with the cooler temperatures.
Overnight low temps are expected to drop into the upper 20s/near 30 north of Grand Rapids, remain around the freezing mark in GR, and middle 30s across our southern counties. We should anticipate light snow showers and/or freezing drizzle north of Grand Rapids overnight, a few light rain/snow showers across Ottawa/Kent/Ionia Counties, and light rain/drizzle south of Grand Rapids. Colder air will filter in for the next few days with most high temperatures no better than the mid 30s. Light lake-effect snow showers are likely on Monday and Tuesday, especially along/west of U.S. 131.
Due to the possibility of freezing drizzle Sunday evening and into the overnight hours, a winter weather advisory has been issued for Oceana, Newaygo, Montcalm and Mecosta counties.
There will eventually be a gradual warm-up by weeks end into the mid 40s, with the possibility of more rain/snow into the weekend. Get the complete forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather. Don’t forget to email your weather photos and reports to weather@fox17online.com.
