WEST MICHIGAN — While West Michigan experienced the first snowfall of the 2024-2025 winter season on November 21st, there are signs of consistent cold air and snowfall heading into Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend.
THE SET UP
TONIGHT
Partly cloudy and cold, with lows in the upper 20s. The wind will lessen some, but gusts could be in the 10 to 15 mph range overnight at times.
WEDNESDAY
Early Thanksgiving travel on Wednesday will be dry. Look for highs near 40°. In the afternoon, a weaker shortwave system sets up along the state line and may bring some light rain/snow snow showers south of Grand Rapids into Wednesday night. At this time, we don't anticipate anything other than wet pavement.
THANKSGIVING DAY
Thanksgiving morning will have a more organized low pressure set up near the Ohio River. Being on the north side of that system means maybe some light rain/snow showers creating wet pavement south of Grand Rapids and along the lakeshore, but no major impacts are expected during the day. Highs will reach the mid to upper 30s.
Thursday evening/night, after the wind shifts from east to northwest, our attention turns to Lake Michigan. Lake Effect snow is expected to push inland with strong gusts and lead to measurable snowfall overnight and Black Friday. Thursday night travel could be slick if the snow starts early enough.
FRIDAY
Highs will barely break the freezing mark in the afternoon, paired with the heaviest of the lake effect snow expected Friday morning/afternoon, looks to be the window of most concern for travel. Accumulations will ramp up during the day on Friday with cold air persisting. The heaviest/steadiest snow will be along/west of U.S. 131 and south/west of Grand Rapids with a west-northwest flow. Typically snowbelt areas with this type of wind means southwest Kent County, Ottawa, Allegan, Van Buren, Kalamzaoo, and western Barry will likely see the most snow. Early indications through Saturday in these areas look to be 3" to 6", but locally heavier amounts are likely. Much lighter amounts are likely north/east of Grand Rapids. See image below.
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.
It could be cold enough to keep those Thanksgiving leftovers outside if you run out of room in your freezer.
Get ready to kick of December with extra 'BRRRRR'!
For the latest details on the weather in West Michigan, head to the FOX 17 Weather page.
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