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Over half a foot of heavy, wet snow to coat some in West Michigan this weekend

Posted at 4:40 PM, Jan 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-19 11:22:07-05

Snow will overspread the area Friday evening and will last into Saturday evening. A change over to rain along and south of I-96 is possible Saturday morning and afternoon. A glaze of ice up to a tenth of an inch is also possible along and south of I-94.

This snow event will have a ton of moisture to work with, meaning the snow will be waterlogged and very heavy. While perfect for packing snowballs and making snowmen, shoveling will be extremely difficult and caution should be used.

Due to the heavy nature of the snow, it is recommended that you shovel a few times during the event rather than all at once at the end. This will reduce stress and strain while shoveling. If you have elderly neighbors that like to shovel, please help them out as this will be even more strenuous on them.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service. Timing for the beginning and end of the advisory varies by location. The advisory for Berrien, St. Joesph, Cass and Branch counties will be from 4 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday. The advisory for Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Van Buren, Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties will be from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. The advisory for Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Gratiot, Ottawa, Kent and Ionia counties will be from Midnight Friday night to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Wind will also gust upwards of 40 mph, meaning isolated power outages will be possible as the heavy snow sticks and weighs down trees and power lines.

Snow totals will range from 4" to 8" with the highest amounts in the north and the lowest amounts in the south. The will be through Saturday evening. Lake-effect snow showers will then get going late Saturday through Sunday, meaning several more inches of snow is possible along and west of US-131. Schools could be closed Monday morning.