textproduct: Grand Rapids

KEY MESSAGES

- Periods of Light Snow Next Few Days

UPDATE

Issued at 1015 AM EST Wed Dec 31 2025

The expected break in snow shower activity since early this morning will come to an end over the next several hours as a cold front approaches the region and upper troughing digs in. Upstream observations across northern and central WI indicate 1-2 miles in light snow along and behind the cold front. As this upper lift and surface front move over Lake Michigan, snow showers will intensify in our region this afternoon as deeper moisture and lift within and below the DGZ occurs. Currently thinking the heaviest snow showers will fall in a triangular region from Holland to Kalamazoo and over to South Haven from mid afternoon through tonight, where high resolution model guidance is indicating potential for additional 2"-4" with isolated higher amounts of 5"-6" possible. Elsewhere, 1"-2" is likely into tonight with the standard disclaimer of variable amounts depending on band placements. In addition to US 31 along the lakeshore, travel conditions especially along I-196 from southern Ottawa down to Van Buren and also I-94 from the lakeshore through Kalamazoo County will likely have the greatest impacts with steadier snow showers and also areas of blowing snow with wind gusts of 25-35 mph. Plan on delayed travel times starting later this afternoon and especially this evening.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 258 AM EST Wed Dec 31 2025

- Periods of Light Snow Next Few Days

Typical winter weather into next week with no big storms but a few clippers in fast northwest flow that will bring light snow. The next one comes in this afternoon with some lake enhancement to the light synoptic snows and a general 1 to 3 inches by the time the snow tapers off Thursday morning.

Light lake effect snow could flare up again Thursday evening as a weak shortwave trough moves through but inversion heights are below 5 kft and any accumulations should be less than an inch.

Snow is possible again late Sunday into Monday as another clipper moves through, but the timing and track is uncertain given the fast flow regime.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 637 AM EST Wed Dec 31 2025

MVFR conditions expected to continue into this afternoon when snow moves in and IFR conditions become widespread. The snow will taper off in the evening with MVFR conditions slowly improving to VFR after midnight. West winds around 10 knots this morning. Winds will go northwest this afternoon with gusts over 20 knots through tonight.

GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MI...Winter Weather Advisory until 7 AM EST Thursday for MIZ037-038- 043-044-050-056-057-064-065-071-072. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for LMZ844>849.