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Winter arrives with a January vengeance this week

Posted at 5:43 PM, Nov 16, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-17 06:49:31-05

WEST MICHIGAN — You would expect to hear that what I’m about to report would come in mid January, but still officially in the Fall (in the middle of November) makes it far more difficult. This week will be brutal weatherwise by November standards!

A Winter Storm Warning has already been hoisted by the National Weather Service from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening.

Several inches of accumulating lake-effect snow will commence Monday during the day, intensify Monday night, and continue through most of Tuesday. Winds will also ramp up later Monday and create significant blowing/drifting through this event with white-out conditions possible at times. I would also expect snow squalls, especially on north/south roadways with a prevailing westerly wind. Multiple pile-ups are possible if drivers don’t slow down.

West winds at 15 – 25 mph with higher gusts will lower wind chills (or feels like temps) to around zero. Actual air temperatures on Monday and Tuesday will be locked in the 20s.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see snow days for several school districts on Tuesday morning. Get the complete West Michigan forecast, temperatures, satellite, and radar at www.fox17online.com/weather. Don’t forget to send your snow reports and photos to weather@fox17online.com.

While lake-effect snow showers may taper a bit on Thursday, they truly won’t shut-down until Friday as drier air and warmer temperatures work in to the region. In fact, we may actually be warm enough to see rain showers Sunday morning as highs approach 40 or better by that time.