Michigan wakes to a muted, gray scene as flakes drift through freezing fog and tires hiss on slick pavement.
Across western Michigan, hazardous travel conditions are already developing this morning. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for Grand Rapids through early afternoon. Temperatures hover near 24 degrees, while light snow mixes with freezing drizzle, creating a thin glaze on roads and sidewalks.
Visibility drops quickly at times. Snow showers increase through the morning commute before gradually tapering. Additional snowfall stays under one inch, but ice does the real damage. Untreated roads, overpasses, and neighborhood streets become slippery fast.
Travel along I-96, U.S. 131, and M-6 slows as gusty winds blow snow across lanes. Braking distances increase, and sudden slick spots catch drivers off guard. Slow down and allow extra time if heading out this morning.
By late morning, precipitation transitions mainly to snow, then fades by early afternoon. Skies remain cloudy, and colder air moves in behind the system. Tonight turns sharply colder, with lows near 7 degrees. Any leftover moisture refreezes, renewing icy patches after dark.
Saturday brings quieter weather but deeper cold. Sunshine returns, yet highs only reach the lower 20s. Wind chills dip below zero early. Sunday stays mostly cloudy and cold, with highs near 27 degrees.
A gradual moderation begins early next week. Monday reaches the low 30s, and Tuesday climbs toward the upper 30s with a chance of mixed precipitation. Longer-range trends suggest milder air pushing into the Great Lakes later next week, hinting at a slow February thaw.
Until then, winter remains in control. Keep headlights on in low visibility and watch for flash-freezing where roads briefly clear.
How slick are roads near you this morning? Let us know what you’re seeing.
Five-Day Outlook – Grand Rapids, MI
- Today: Snow and freezing drizzle, icy travel. High 35°F
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, very cold. High 22°F
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, cold. High 27°F
- Monday: Partly sunny, moderating. High 33°F
- Tuesday: Rain/snow chance, milder. High 39°F
