Clouds will increase on Thursday, with a chance of storms developing Thursday night. Temperatures will then warm into the 70s on Friday with strong to severe storms possible. Read More >
Grand Rapids, MI
Weather Forecast Office
On December 18, 2015, light lake-effect snow with bands of heavy snow produced accumulations across western & southern Lower Michigan ranging from a dusting to one foot. Many traffic accidents and slide-offs occurred within heavier bursts of snow, especially in the Grand Rapids and Lansing areas. Snow initially melted on pavement before freezing into extremely slippery glare-ice.
Heavy lake-effect snow affected locations north of Grand Rapids between 2:15 and 3:30 pm, turning roads into ice. This caused traffic accidents and lengthy backups on US-131 between Cedar Springs and northern Grand Rapids. Over 50 vehicles were involved in collisions or slide-offs on the highway south of Cedar Springs. Both directions of US-131 were closed hours.
Bursts of heavy snow moved through Lansing between 3:15 and 3:45 pm. While accumulations were under an inch, temporarily icy road conditions led to slide-offs, accidents, and lengthy rush-hour backups.
A persistent band of heavy snow parked over southern Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties between 8:00 and 11:30 pm. Large snow crystal aggregates piled up quickly, reaching over 8 inches between Decatur, Lawton, and Schoolcraft. An isolated 10-12 inches was also measured.
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
Grand Rapids, MI
4899 Tim Dougherty Drive SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512-4034
616-949-0643
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