WEST MICHIGAN — We’ve always said lake-effect snow can be (and is) highly variable! Literally one minute you could be driving in white-out conditions, then be in blue sky and sunshine the next (or vice versa).
While we have reports of one to three inches across our lakeshore counties, there has generally been less than one inch in locations further inland. That’s typically what happens with a northwest wind. That said, another one to three inches (perhaps two to four under the persistent bands) will fall in our lakeshore counties overnight and in to Sunday morning. Lake-effect snow advisories remain overnight for all of our immediate lakeshore counties, including Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph. Only light snow showers, flakes, and flurries are expected further inland overnight with variably cloudy skies.
It needs to be said that our temperatures were very cold Saturday. In fact, mainly in the 20s all day. We will not rise above freezing until at least Monday afternoon, so beware of wet spots on the roads and sidewalks…ice is quite likely. Because this is our first widespread freezing event, I would treat all wet spots as if it were ice! We had plenty of accidents and slide-offs on area roads Saturday morning as drivers become reacclimated with winter driving conditions again!
For many of use on the west side of the state, this was the first measurable snow (on a widespread basis). Another shot of accumulating snow is likely by Monday afternoon with another system pressing in to the Great Lakes. Preliminarily, I could see about one to three inches with that system. Please plan accordingly. The good news is the remainder of the week looks relatively quiet if you’re going to be traveling around the Great Lakes for Thanksgiving.
Get the complete West Michigan forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather. Email any photos to weather@fox17online.com or post them on the FOX 17 Facebook page.
