WEST MICHIGAN — All eyes will be on a developing system in the south central part of the country this weekend as it develops and moves into the Great Lakes.
Earlier weather forecast models were taking the system further south missing West Michigan completely, however Friday morning’s model runs came back with a much further north and west track. This track would bring accumulating snow back into West Michigan.
This system will take a route that will bring the heaviest snow accumulations into extreme south and southwest Michigan. Winter Storm Warnings have been posted for areas along the Indiana border and south into Northern Indiana. This includes Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch Counties.
While the heaviest snow should accumulate along the Indiana border, areas along the I-94 corridor will also see snow that could become heavy at times during the day on Sunday. Snow will taper off towards the north with the least amount of snow falling north of I-96.
While all of West Michigan will have the chance to see some snow on Sunday the exact track of this system still remains under a lot of uncertainty. Areas along I-94 and south will need to keep a careful eye on this system as a slight track change of just 10 to 20 miles could mean major increases or decreases in snow amounts.
Forecast models are still very split on snow totals, and with such uncertainty on a forecast track it would be irresponsible to throw out snow totals at this time. With that said, my major concern with this system lies with the impact of winds combined with very cold temperatures rather than the snow totals themselves.
Temperatures will fall throughout the day Sunday into the teens by afternoon and into the single digits by evening. Winds will also become gusty as the system intensifies. Gusty winds will create blowing and drifting snow across the southern portion of the state dropping visibility and wind chills. Bitterly cold temperatures will make it difficult for road crews to adequately treat roads and could create travel hazards.
We will continue to track this system as it moves into the Great Lakes and bring you updates as the forecast track, and snowfall totals WILL change in the next 48-hours.
