Weather

Actions

Monday Forecast: Dangerous Cold, Diminishing Snow

Posted at 7:57 AM, Jan 27, 2014
and last updated 2014-01-27 10:09:38-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lake-effect snow showers will gradually weaken during the day Monday, but still be enough to leave a couple inches of new accumulation west of U.S. 131.  And despite less falling snow, the blowing and drifting snow will continue to make travel very hazardous around West Michigan.

Winds will be from the west at between 15 to 30 mph all the way into Tuesday, creating a situation where north-south roads will be drifted over in open areas.  Cass, Van Buren, and Allegan counties all posted notice that travel should be limited to emergencies only.  The winds will also create wind chill readings of 10 to 20 below zero, which can cause frostbite on exposed skin in a half hour or less.

As the snow diminishes more Monday night into Tuesday, the focus will shift to the temperatures and wind chills.  Temperatures will stay in the single digits at best through midday Wednesday, with wind chills pushing -30° at times.  This will make it nearly impossible for road crews to get the base layer of packed snow and ice off of surfaces until temperatures moderate later in the week.

We’ll continue to update you on-air and online; find interactive radar and the full 7 Day Forecast on the Weather page.