If you have to be on the road in West Michigan this afternoon or tonight, you should be prepared for worsening travel conditions, the National Weather Service said.
Lake-effect and blowing snow will overspread the area. The NWS forecast for Thursday afternoon into Friday morning calls for some areas to get between 3 to 6 inches of snow, with travel conditions deteriorating throughout the evening.
The most impacted areas of travel Thursday evening are expected to be all areas of U.S. 31, I-96 near/west of Zeeland and I-94 near/west of Kalamazoo.
Wind gusts could hit between 25 to 35 mph in most areas and up to 40 mph along the Lakeshore.
“Moderate to heavy lake effect snow showers will continue this afternoon with heaviest snow expected from near Ludington and Muskegon south southeast to near South Haven, Allegan and Kalamazoo,” NWS meteorologists in the Grand Rapids office said. “Very hazardous travel conditions will continue this afternoon with blowing snow, snowy to icy road conditions, and near-whiteout conditions at times.”
Blowing snow is expected to be an issue throughout the evening in the Lakeshore counties, but the snow is expected to wind down overnight with light snow or flurries Friday. Those in Kalamazoo and Lake counties, along with the Lakeshore counties, may see between 3 to 6 inches of snow. Areas along the U.S. 131 corridor can expect between 1 to 3 inches of snow. However, the farther east you travel, the less likely you are to deal with snow accumulation.
