WEST MICHIGAN — Its funny, it’s winter in West Michigan and I’ve heard several folks say wow…this is great regarding the snow. Others have already had plenty! I think what makes it difficult to deal with is the fact that we need to literally be outside everyday trying to clear the sidewalks and driveways.
If it seems like we’ve had a lot of snow lately, indeed we have. Grand Rapids alone has tallied 10 out of the last 15 days with accumulating snow. Thus far Grand Rapids has tabulated 21.9 inches of snow this season. About another three inches occurred from the lake-effect we received on Sunday. We’re actually just over four inches above the normal value for this time of year. If you compare these numbers to the same time last year, I can see why some of us might be disappointed since we only had registered 1.26 inches…not even enough for Santa to get the sleigh off the ground.
Snowfall reports across the area today from the lake-effect have generally been in the 1″ – 3″ / 2″ – 4″ range. Kalamazoo reported 2.3″, Grandville 2.8″, Kentwood 2.9″, Cloverville in Muskegon County less than 2″, Fremont around 3″, and Jenison about 3″ – 4″. The areal coverage of these snow showers is expected to shrink this evening as westerly winds relax a bit. That will pull the lake-effect snow showers closer to the lakeshore with another 1″ – 2″ possible overnight. As winds turn southwesterly later tonight, inland locations may actually see some brief clearing and without any air modification from Lake Michigan, will most likely see overnight low temps drop in to the single digits.
More accumulating snow is on the way for Monday afternoon/evening and again Tuesday as upper level energy and lake-enhancement work together to add to our totals. That said, temperatures may actually warm up enough later this week to see a system moving up from the south with rain in the forecast. It doesn’t appear to be much at this point, but if it changes that could spell widespread significant flooding issues with all the moisture locked up in snow already on the ground. Make sure to stay up on later forecasts.
The attached photo was submitted to my Facebook page by Lisa Silver-Cassidy. Even the horse looks to have had enough! You can get weather updates, radar, satellite, temperatures, wind chills, and the 7-Day at http://www.fox7online.com/weather. Don’t forget to post your weather photos on our FOX 17 Facebook page or email them to news@fox17online.com.
