Grand Rapids, MI – The National Weather Service (NWS) is rolling out a new winter forecasting tool designed to improve how meteorologists and the public prepare for ice accumulation and storm impacts.
The Probabilistic Ice Accumulation Forecast—now available on the NWS Probabilistic Precipitation Portal—will allow users to view potential ice totals in different probability ranges. This includes low-end, expected, and high-end accumulations, helping residents and emergency managers plan for a variety of winter storm scenarios.
According to the NWS, the new feature complements the existing probabilistic rain and snow forecasts, offering a clearer understanding of forecast uncertainty and helping decision-makers gauge risks for hazardous travel, downed power lines, and infrastructure damage during ice storms.
Users can explore the data through interactive maps, tables, and charts at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/Prob_Precip/.
Officials say this experimental tool will be especially valuable across the Great Lakes region, where freezing rain events can quickly disrupt transportation and power systems.
The NWS encourages residents to bookmark the portal and check updates regularly throughout the winter season.
