WEST MICHIGAN- A light dose of snow overnight and into this morning caused several cancellations and delays this morning. Just about the time we clear out Wednesday afternoon, we'll see the arrival of another storm system from the northwest.
Snow is tapering off to flurries just shy of 10 AM, but we'll see that linger as a few leftovers will make it across Lake Michigan and linger into the early afternoon hours for some.
Snow totals ranged anywhere from an inch to up to 4 inches in some isolated areas. Constant development in the same areas made snowfall totals higher within just a few miles, as is evident from the small sample of snow totals above.
Our next system is in the process of crossing the international border and will arrive much later in the day. You may have heard this referenced as a "clipper system" or "Alberta clipper." This is because this type of storm system forms in the Canadian province of Alberta. These systems often race (or "clip") to the southwest as they move into the United States.
It won't affect the daylight hours today. We'll remain mostly overcast with the occasional flurry. After the sunset, much like yesterday, this storm arrives.
To give you an idea just how much distance this storm covers in a day, check out this snapshot just before 10 AM Wednesday. It's just under 600 miles away from Grand Rapids at this time.
Snow moves into the lakeshore area from the northwest, with areas near Hart, Muskegon, and Ludington among the first to receive snowfall.
Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Three Rivers will also begin to receive snow just before midnight. A quick inch...even 2 inches will be possible as this initial line moves through the area.
Additional snowfall lingers into the overnight and early morning hours again, but this time it'll be more limited in its coverage. As winds switch to the northwest, we'll see a few lake effect enhanced bands of snow. Most of this will limit itself to areas very close to I-96 and northward, but this is a very loose boundary.
Light snow showers will trend southward throughout the day, with a dusting possible at this time as the system exits to our southeast.
Because of this additional threat of snow, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Osceola, Mecosta, Kent, Allegan, Oceana, Newaygo, and Muskegon counties from 7 PM tonight through 7 AM Thursday morning. These areas will see heavier bands as not only the center of the storm tracks a little bit further north, but the wrap around snow showers will be enhanced by the lake effect Thursday morning as well.
As I mentioned above, heavier totals will fall to the north with this storm. Areas like Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, and Three Rivers will receive most of their snow with the initial pass of the storm tonight.
Expect the interstates and main roads to become very slick tonight into tomorrow morning. Slick side roads will become even more dangerous as temps will remain below freezing overnight as well. Plan on giving yourself a few extra minutes tonight or tomorrow morning when traveling. I can assure you that your travel times will increase as road conditions worsen and visibility drops.
