WEST MICHIGAN -- Just like last weekend another low pressure area and winter storm will impact the Great Lakes. The real snow gets going Friday evening and overnight in to Saturday morning where snow fall rates could top one inch per hour.
Only three counties in our area are under WINTER STORM WARNINGS...Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo. We believe the heaviest snow will fall there through Sunday morning with totals being in the 6" to 10" range and locally higher amounts of 12" or more possible. The remainder of our FOX 17 viewing area is under a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...also through Sunday morning with lighter amounts of snow likely in these locations...on the order of 3" to 6". Below is an image showing the latest warning/advisory configuration for our area.
The lightest amounts, probably about 2" to 4" will occur along the Michigan Indiana border where some freezing rain or sleet may mix Saturday afternoon for a short period as temperatures warm to 32 or better. Higher amounts of snow are likely the further north you travel with about 6" to 7" expected in and around the Grand Rapids metro area. Take a look at one of our computer forecast models below for snow accumulation through 6 AM Sunday morning.
Once the system departs on late Saturday in to Sunday morning, look for reinforcing Arctic air to blast in to the Great Lakes and accumulating lake effect snow Sunday and Monday...where several more inches may fall along/west of U.S. 131. Below is an image from our forecast model (valid for 6 PM Saturday) showing the low pressure system tracking just south of Michigan.
There's a good chance we may see an extended period of little/no snow through at least a portion of Saturday before steady to moderate snow commences in the late afternoon/evening again. Get the complete forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather. Arctic air will likely stay in place through Tuesday before temperatures gradually reach the 30 later next week. Drive safely!
