WEST MICHIGAN — This week saw the first Winter Weather Advisories of the season as a potent lake-effect set-up developed over West Michigan dropping snow in many areas up to 14 inches.
The areas that were impacted the most were in our Lakeshore communities in Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, and Van Buren counties. The snow moved inland impacting parts of US-131 and causing many problems along area roadways including many highway closures. As with all lake-effect snow, the difference between snow totals can vary greatly within small distances. Areas like Grand Rapids and Ionia barely saw an inch of snow.
Lake-effect snow will start to decrease overnight Friday as winds calm and become more southwesterly. This brief break in activity will lead to a chilly night as low temperatures drop into the low to mid 20’s. A chilly start to Saturday morning for area hunters heading out to the tree stands. Clouds will increase throughout the afternoon as a system moves into the Great Lakes bringing widespread chances for accumulating snow.
So as one advisory expires, another takes its place as snow will likely impact travel around West Michigan through Sunday evening as our next system moves through the Great Lakes.
Southwest flow ahead and within the storm will allow for some lake-enhancement creating heavy snow bands, which will likely move over the same areas causing higher snow fall accumulation. As the storm moves from the southwest to northeast, areas along the 94 corridor will likely see the least amount of snow and areas from Muskegon to Big Rapids more likely see the largest totals.
Stay tuned to FOX17 for forecast updates as this system moves into West Michigan: FOX17 Weather
Snow totals reported to the National Weather Service:
Allegan –
Hopkins: 11.3″
Shelbyville: 10.0″
Dorr: 8.5″
Hopkins: 8.3″
Wayland: 8.1″
Barry –
Orangeville: 3.0″
Hastings: 2.3″
Kalamazoo –
Oshtemo: 9.5″
Kalamazoo: 5.0″
Kent –
Grandville: 13.6″
East Grand Rapids: 1.7″
Grand Rapids: 1.7″
Caledonia: 1.5″
Muskegon –
Muskegon: 7.6″
Newaygo –
Fremont: 2.0″
Ottawa –
Allendale: 14.0″
Hudsonville: 10.5″
Jenison: 10.3″
Walker: 7.5″
Holland: 2.5″
Van Buren –
Bangor: 7.0″
Bloomingdale: 6.5″
Paw Paw: 5.5″
Mattawan: 5.0″
South Haven 4.0″
