textproduct: Grand Rapids

KEY MESSAGES

- Freezing Drizzle Transitioning to Snow this Afternoon

- Cold with Periods of Light Snow into Next Week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 216 PM EST Wed Dec 3 2025

- Freezing Drizzle Transitioning to Snow this Afternoon

Freezing drizzle has developed as there is a lack of cloud ice within the low level saturation ahead of the front. Looking at forecast soundings we should see more of a transition to snow around 3pm, but some areas of freezing drizzle could linger as long as 6pm. With cold surface temperatures a light glaze of ice is expected. Dry conditions return tonight as the front clears but some lake effect snow showers could linger along and north of US-10. Snow amounts around a half inch are expected with higher amounts of an inch or two toward Van Buren, Allegan, Barry, and Kalamazoo Counties. Lows tonight are expected to be in the teens with single digits possible toward central portions of the Lower Peninsula.

- Cold with Periods of Light Snow into Next Week

Winter continues with highs in the 20s to low 30s and lows largely in the teens to single digits. We'll have a couple chances for light snow into next week.

Friday southwest flow will help bring warm air advection and some low level moisture advection ahead of the shortwave expected to move through Friday night into Saturday. Within this southwest flow we could initially see snow showers develop for the morning and afternoon. The deeper moisture and lift move in Friday night expanding snow chances across western Michigan. Colder air funnels in behind the shortwave Saturday with 850mb temperatures dropping around minus 10 C. This will help continue lake effect snow showers into the weekend. At this time 24 hour probabilities of 2 inches or more are low (20 percent or less) through the weekend.

Attention then turns toward the beginning of next week as a deeper low pressure system moves through the region. There is some uncertainty with the timing and the exact track as seen in the cluster analysis, however there are enough similarities to result in some better probabilities (30 to 50 percent) of 2 inches or more of snow within 24 hours along and west of US-131. We'll need to keep an eye on this timeframe as it could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 637 PM EST Wed Dec 3 2025

IFR conditions to continue for at least the first few hours of the TAF period as a slow moving cold front and associated light snow impacts West Michigan. As the front moves through winds will shift to out of the northwest and drier air builds in. Could see some reduced visibilities in fog overnight after snow ends. Otherwise...improvement in conditions expected early Thursday though cloudy skies may remain.

GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MI...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM EST Thursday for LMZ844>849.