MICHIGAN, USA – It may be the second half of March, but it will be a mid-winter feeling in western Michigan. The combination of lake effect snow, strong winds and freezing temperatures will result in widespread impacts. Where is the luck of the Irish when you need it?
Cold air intrusion over the Great Lakes allowed lake effect snow to blossom Friday night into Saturday morning. This will continue through Saturday with the help of a favorable wind direction – west to west-northwest – and a secondary “wave” of energy pouring into the Great Lakes.
A winter weather advisory is in place for a combination of lake effect snow and strong winds, in effect until 2 a.m. Sunday. Everyone should expect slippery roads, uneven blowing snow and reduced visibility at this event.
Accumulations will vary across western Michigan due to the nature of lake effect snow, but locations near and west of US-131 have the highest chance of picking up 3”+ of snowfall. snow all day. In the more rugged lake effect strips, some spots have the potential to pick up over 6” of snow. Snow totals will drop to 1”+, mostly east of US-131.
Credit: 13 ON YOUR SIDE
It’s important to remember that this will be lake effect snow, which means that just a few miles up the road there could be very little snow while some spots are experiencing several inches.
Either way, the freezing temperatures of mid-March will be felt by everyone in West Michigan. It will be the coldest air in weeks to settle in the region on Saturday. The highs won’t come out of the 20s and the wind chill readings will be between the single digits and the teenage lows all day.
Credit: 13 ON YOUR SIDE
Credit: 13 ON YOUR SIDE
Winds will be sustained at 15-25 MPH throughout the day, with gusts approaching 30-40+ MPH. This will create visibility issues, as well as bands of lake effect snow reaching well inland.
Credit: 13 ON YOUR SIDE
Needless to say, if you have plans for St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday, be sure to bundle up and plan for some slippery roads.
The weather conditions rebounded on Sunday, with warmer temperatures and sunshine throughout the day. Temperatures continue to rise this coming week, with 40s on Monday and 50°+ from Tuesday to Thursday.
Stay with the 13 ON YOUR SIDE weather team for the latest forecast!
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