Grand Rapids, Mich. – A crisp, hazy light spreads over West Michigan this Saturday morning as cooler air settles across the Grand River valley and a busy Thanksgiving travel week begins. Damp pavement and a steady east breeze signal a shifting pattern that could tug colder air into the region by Friday, raising concern for slick spots and slower highway speeds on I-96 and US-131. Residents should pack extra layers for errands today and plan extra time for afternoon travel as clouds thicken.
According to the National Weather Service Grand Rapids office, mild air holds for now with highs in the upper 40s, but a sharper chill arrives late this weekend as a weak front crosses Lake Michigan. That front may support patchy drizzle and a brief lake-enhanced shower set early Sunday. The chance stays low, yet models hint at a “Winter Tease” later next week as colder Canadian air surges south and brushes the region with a few flurries before Thanksgiving. No sizable snow is expected, but even light flakes can unsettle traffic during heavy holiday travel.
According to MDOT, road crews will monitor bridges and shaded stretches where temperatures dip fastest. Drivers should stay alert for damp-to-frosty transitions during early trips Monday and Tuesday. Shoppers and early travelers should keep phones charged, check tire pressure, and watch for scattered slowdowns around construction zones on I-196 and M-6, especially as thicker clouds mute sunlight and limit warmth.
Air travelers moving through Gerald R. Ford International may see fuller lots and longer security lines as Thanksgiving week gets underway. For now, weather impacts remain modest, but colder air steadily builds. After all, late-November patterns can shift fast, and even a light mix can complicate the season’s first major travel push.
Five-Day Weather Forecast for Grand Rapids, MI:
Sat: 49/36 – Mostly cloudy; light east breeze.
Sun: 52/38 – Partly sunny; slight shower chance early.
Mon: 52/34 – Mostly sunny; cooler morning.
Tue: 49/32 – Cloudy; early flurry possible north.
Wed: 46/30 – Chilly; breezy with scattered clouds.
