WEST MICHIGAN — We've had one light snowfall this season, but a little bigger lake effect event is about to unfold tonight into this weekend. By West Michigan standards, this will not be a huge lake effect event, but it will lay down about 3" to 6" (locally more possible) through Saturday with a west-northwest wind.
To start, a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Eaton, Eaton, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties. This is in effect until 7 A.M. Saturday morning.
Calhoun, Eaton, Newaygo, and Oceana counties are under an advisory for 2 to 4 inches of snow. All other counties in the advisory could see isolated 7" amounts!
The heaviest and steadiest snow will fall along U.S. 131 and south/west of Grand Rapids. Typically in this type of flow, southern Muskegon, southwestern Kent, Allegan, western Barry, Van Buren, and Kalamazoo Counties see the most persistent lake bands organize and set up. See our map below.
This is the forecast snowfall map since snow began Thursday evening through Saturday morning. We have already seen reports over 6", which was expected along U.S.-131 in Allegan county. We had mentioned isolated higher totals were likely in heavier band areas.
WEEKEND
The Lake Effect snow machine will produce on & off snow showers, especially along and west of U.S.-131 Saturday and Sunday. Even more concerning, afternoon highs in the upper 20s near 30° will keep any measurable snow on the ground to ring in the first week of December. Additional accumulations will be possible Sunday and into next week as the air mass remains chilly and below normal.
Saturday and Sunday may add another 1" to 3" of new snow to start December with a thick blanket of snow!
Get ready to kick of December with extra 'BRRRRR', too. Highs at or below freezing 5 of the next 7 days!
For the latest details on the weather in West Michigan, head to the FOX 17 Weather page.
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