WEST MICHIGAN — The first half of March has been dry for the city of Grand Rapids. The Ford International airport hit 21 days without measurable precipitation on Tuesday but that streak will likely end by Wednesday morning as rain will move into the Great Lakes.
Our next system approaches from the southwest overnight Tuesday, bringing rain chances after midnight and through the early morning hours of Wednesday.
Temperatures will remain fairly mild through the overnight with some areas north of I-96 dropping below freezing. As temperatures fall toward sunrise Wednesday it could allow for some light patchy freezing rain to occur where morning low temperatures fall near or below freezing.
The National Weather Service will likely issue a Winter Weather Advisory in anticipation of patchy icy conditions for areas north of I-96 including Muskegon, Greenville and areas to the north starting at midnight and ending at 9AM when temperatures warm above freezing.
Freezing rain chances will be fairly low in areas south of I-96 as rain picks up in intensity, especially along the I-94 corridor where rain totals could total more than a half-inch.
Rain will continue through the early morning and become heavy at times before tapering off during late morning. Rain totals will likely top a half-inch in many areas as the system taps directly into Gulf of Mexico moisture and funnels it into West Michigan providing much-needed moisture to a dry West Michigan.
