Michigan starts the first Monday of 2026 with a quiet but dangerous edge. Pavement shines under streetlights, not from rain, but ice.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, untreated surfaces are slick this morning due to freezing rain and snow. Another round of freezing drizzle is possible along and north of M-20, placing northern Kent, Montcalm, and Mecosta counties at higher risk. Temperatures hover near 30 degrees, allowing even light precipitation to freeze on contact.
Drivers across West Michigan should slow down early today. Bridges, side streets, and parking lots remain especially hazardous. School drop-offs and morning commutes could feel tense. Give yourself extra time and avoid sudden braking.
Light rain and snow taper late this morning, but the danger does not fully fade. Fog develops tonight and could become dense. That fog may freeze onto surfaces, renewing slick conditions by Tuesday morning.
Tuesday brings another concern. Meteorologists now tracking freezing rain potential across the region, with the best chances along and north of M-46. Rain mixes in later, but temperatures near freezing early could create a fresh glaze on roads. Visibility may drop quickly in fog, adding another layer of risk.
By Wednesday, conditions improve slightly. Skies turn partly sunny, and highs reach the upper 30s. Thursday trends milder, with highs climbing into the mid-40s and a chance of rain developing. Wet roads return late, and colder air lingers nearby.
Looking toward the weekend, winter stays active. Rain mixes with snow by Saturday, and temperatures slide back toward the mid-30s. Flash freezing remains a concern after sunset as wet pavement cools.
This week is a reminder that winter Weather in Michigan does not need heavy snow to cause problems. Slick roads are enough.
Seeing icy spots where you are driving this morning?
Five-Day Weather Outlook: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Monday: Light rain and snow early, icy roads. High 37.
Tuesday: Rain with freezing rain early. High 38.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. High 39.
Thursday: Chance of rain. High 46.
Friday: Rain likely, cooler late. High 42.
