GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Several inches of lake-effect and blowing snow could lead to additional school closings in parts of West Michigan Thursday.
Blake will be hosting a livestream on Instagram at 7:30 p.m., which you can watch here.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for counties generally along and west of US-131 from 7 p.m. Wednesday until 7 p.m. Thursday for 2 to 5 inches of snow or more and wind gusts to 35 mph.
Extreme cold watch: Below-zero wind chills Friday and Saturday
There will be multiple rounds of snow, the first of which will arrive later this evening. Snow will be heaviest between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, in parts of Allegan and Barry counties, where a quick 1 to 4 inches is possible overnight. Meanwhile, in other areas under the advisory, scattered snow showers will develop and continue overnight with a general 1 to 3 inches expected by daybreak.
Winds will push this event to be a bit more impactful. Gusts to 35 mph are likely to blow the powdery snow around, which could create significant visibility concerns in rural areas. The locations that see the most fresh snow overnight will also likely see the worst blowing snow, as the loose powder will be most easily blown around.
While the chance for most districts is low due to lower snowfall forecasts, they remain very possible depending on snow timing and visibility, particularly in rural districts.
Ottawa & Kent
The best chance for closings will come in central Ottawa and far northern & southern Kent counties, where blowing snow will likely cause the most problems. The lack of significant additional snowfall keeps this area at a low (20 to 40%) chance, though a few are certainly possible and the chance would increase should heavier snow develop.
Southern area
A sweep of snow is likely between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo late Wednesday evening, likely impacting Allegan and Barry counties. Given both contain mainly rural districts and winds are expected to pick up shortly thereafter, visibility will likely become an issue in these areas into Thursday morning. Additional snow showers are likely into the morning commute. Therefore, a moderate (40 to 60%) chance for closings exists in Allegan, Barry and northern Van Buren counties. Elsewhere, given less snow expected by the morning commute but a concern for visibility and blowing snow, a low (20 to 40%) chance is in place…