GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — A glaze of ice followed by light snow slickened travel Friday morning along Interstate 96 from Muskegon through Grand Rapids toward Portland, where freezing drizzle transitioned to snow before sunrise, creating hazardous conditions through 1 p.m. Friday across west and central Michigan.
The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids kept a Winter Weather Advisory in effect through early afternoon for Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Ottawa, Kent, and Allegan counties. Forecasters said ice accumulations around a light glaze, combined with up to one inch of snow and wind gusts near 35 miles per hour, would make untreated roads slick, especially during the morning commute.
Freezing drizzle coated bridges and overpasses early Friday, particularly along United States Route 31, where slick conditions affected Ludington, Hart, Muskegon, Grand Haven, and Holland. As temperatures hovered near freezing, light snow began filling in behind the drizzle, reducing traction and visibility on secondary roads.
Conditions also deteriorated inland. Along United States Route 131, traffic slowed through Big Rapids, Cedar Springs, and Grand Rapids, while Michigan Route 46 turned slick near Reed City and Howard City. Farther west, Michigan Route 20 and Michigan Route 104 saw patchy icing near Whitehall and New Era, where lake-enhanced moisture briefly intensified precipitation.
Transportation crews treated primary corridors, but officials warned that even a thin ice glaze sharply increases stopping distances. Gusty winds pushed moisture back onto treated pavement, prolonging slick spots through midmorning.
The advisory expires at 1 p.m. Friday as precipitation tapers and temperatures slowly stabilize. Some slick patches may linger into early afternoon, but gradual improvement is expected later in the day as roads dry.
