As if parts of West Michigan haven't seen enough lake effect snow lately...15" in Marne, 14" in Comstock Park, 12" in Walker and Allendale, and 14" in Coopersville. A major winter storm (still developing in California as of Sunday night) will draw up plenty of Gulf moisture and pull down the coldest air of the season and sweep across the Midwest and Great Lakes. Winds will begin picking up Tuesday afternoon/evening as the precip develops across the area. If the storm system tracks further north and west, then West Michigan will likely see more liquid and mixed precip with less snow. However, a track further south and east means less liquid and mixed precip and alot more snow. Preliminarily, the heaviest snow looks to be from Grand Rapids to the north with about 6"-12" possible. We have the chance to see some rain or mixed precip during the morning hours Wednesday before changing to all snow as a major winter storm system and low pressure track directly over the Great Lakes. Winter storm watches have already been posted for Tuesday and Wednesday from National Weather Service offices in Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Chicago. Winter storm watches are expected to be forthcoming sometime on Monday from the NWS office in Grand Rapids. Our forecast models are indicating that strong west/southwest winds will develop behind this storm. That means more lake effect snow across the heart of our viewing area all the way in to U.S. 131. This is expected to be a brief shot of the coldest air of the season. Highs only in the low 20s with windchills in the single digits. Regardless of which way the low pressure system tracks on Wednesday, heavy lake effect is imminent with
1"-2" snowfall rates per hour and near white out and blizzard conditions (at times) with the strong winds. Get the snowblower ready!
Below is a snapshot from our computer forecast model Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Note the expansive area of wet, heavy snow across the upper Midwest and Great Lakes. As the low briefly wraps some warm air into its core, freezing rain, sleet, and rain are also likely.
Below is another snapshot from our computer forecast model showing Wednesday at 4:00 PM. Note the location of the low, very strong winds behind this system (40-50 MPH), and heavy snow. I would expect a "flash freeze" Wednesday night going into Thursday morning as temps fall from the low/mid 30s into the teens. Then, heavy lake effect snow is likely along and west of U.S. 131 with the coldest air of the season coming across Lake Michigan. Plan accordingly and don't get caught off guard with this system. The possibility exists for 6"-12" of snow with the low, then at least another 12" or more of lake effect snow Thursday, Friday, and slowly tapering off Saturday. Drive safely!
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