textproduct: Grand Rapids

KEY MESSAGES

- Lake Effect Today

- Round of Accumulating Snow Tonight into Tuesday

- Cold Weather Continues

DISCUSSION

Issued at 315 AM EST Mon Jan 26 2026

- Lake Effect Today

Highest snow accumulations are expected along the lakeshore today, specifically in western Ottawa, Allegan, and Van Buren counties. The band of lake effect snow over Lake Michigan is currently moving into Van Buren County and will continue to shift east into Allegan and Ottawa and winds shift more to the west. Steep lapse rates and moisture in the dendritic growth zone should provide some decent rates with the signal for rates of an inch per hour maybe at times up to 2 inches per hour this morning before lake effect snow winds down this afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are expected with the lake effect snow band with quick accumulations and low visibilities. Use caution if traveling along the lakeshore within the advisory as conditions can quickly change. Snowfall amounts will largely range from 1-4 inches within the advisory but the highest amounts of 5-7 inches are more likely within Van Buren and southwest potions of Allegan County.

With the westerly winds moving in this snow will shift inland through the afternoon, but amounts less than an inch are expected.

- Round of Accumulating Snow Tonight into Tuesday

A quick moving shortwave trough will move through the area late tonight into Tuesday morning bringing with it widespread accumulations of 2 to 4 inches along and west of US-131 with lower amounts further east. This matches up well with the 25th to 75th percentile with the potential for 4 or more inches along the lakeshore around 30 to 50 percent. Another advisory may be needed especially with wind gusts 25 to 35 mph helping to drive blowing and drifting snow along with reduced visibilities. Also cold temperatures will limit the effectiveness of salt, any slow will create slick conditions.

- Cold Weather Continues

Wind chills down to -20 are still expected tonight into Tuesday morning within the Cold Weather Advisory due to lows in the single digits and winds gusting 25 to 35 mph.

Highs in the teens with lows in the single digits above and below zero are expected through the week with another potential for Cold Weather headlines for Thursday night into Friday as the NBM highlights apparent temperatures in the -15 to -20 range across much of the area.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 638 AM EST Mon Jan 26 2026

Lake effect snow is moving into western Michigan and will largely impact MKG and AZO today with IFR to MVFR conditions. Further east snow is expected to be lighter but could still see some reductions in visibility and will see MVFR ceilings move in. Tonight more widespread snow moves in from the northwest bringing 2 to 4 inches largely along and west of a RQB to GRR to AZO line with isolated higher amounts possible along the lakeshore for LDM, MKG, and BIV. Amounts under 2 inches are expected further east. Southwest winds will pick up with gusts 25 to 35 knots with the highest gusts along the lakeshore. With theses winds blowing and drifting snow is likely. MVFR conditions are expected with about a 20 percent chance of IFR conditions.

GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MI...Winter Weather Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for MIZ056- 064-071. Cold Weather Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 9 AM EST Tuesday for MIZ058-059-064>067-071>074. MARINE...None.