Wintry Mix to Cause Slippery Travel Conditions Ahead of Christmas

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Another clipper system is set to impact West Michigan late Sunday night through Monday evening. A 13 Weather Impact Alert has been issued as this clipper brings a wintry mix, including freezing rain.

Light snow showers are possible late tonight into Monday morning, mostly north of I-96. Impacts from this snow activity will be minimal, as less than an inch is expected to fall.

Coverage in precipitation will increase beyond 7 AM on Monday, which is when a majority of West Michigan has the Winter Weather Advisory go into effect.

Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, and Montcalm counties to the north have the advisory begin at 1 AM tonight due to the light snow showers arriving there earlier.

By 10 or 11 AM on Monday, the precipitation will be widespread across West Michigan.

A variety of precipitation types are anticipated with this system. By the late morning hours, along and south of I-96 will feature a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. North of I-96, near US-10, will have primarily just snow showers.

By the mid-afternoon, warmer air will continue to nose in from the south. This warmer air will turn most of the precipitation near I-94 to just rain showers, so impacts could lessen to the south by 3 PM or so.

During the afternoon, a wintry mix of ice and snow/sleet is still likely along I-96. Near US-10, snow stays the predominant precipitation type.

Coverage and intensity of the wintry mix begins to lessen in the evening. By 8 PM, the heaviest precipitation is leaving the region and West Michigan is left with drizzle — both plain rain and areas of freezing rain.

Impacts will persist on untreated roads into Monday night, but the precipitation largely ends by 11 PM Monday, when the Winter Weather Advisory expires.

The biggest concern with this system is the potential for freezing rain. Snow showers north of I-96, especially near US-10, will create slick travel on Monday.

Freezing rain is expected to fall for most at some point throughout Monday near and south of I-96, so holiday travel likely will be impacted by slippery roads.

Closer to I-94, impacts could be less during the afternoon as temperatures warm into the upper 30s and rain becomes more likely.

Near and north of I-96, travel impacts will be more prevalent during the day.

Precipitation amounts will vary greatly across West Michigan as temperature profiles with this system will determine who sees the most, and what will fall.

Current thinking has Montcalm, Newaygo, and Oceana counties to the north seeing 2 to 5 inches of snowfall. The predominant precipitation type here will be snow, so the most snow will fall in these regions — shaded in blue.

Along I-96, including Muskegon, Kent, Ottawa, and Ionia counties likely see a wintry mix. 1 to 2 inches of a snow/sleet mix and up to 0.10″ of ice is possible in these areas — shaded in pink.

Allegan and Barry counties to the south could see rain in the afternoon, so amounts will be lower. Although, freezing rain and a wintry mix is still likely in the morning and early afternoon. Snow/sleet amounts are expected to be less than an inch, and ice accumulation up to 0.10″ is possible — shaded in purple.

Overall, this is not a major storm. We encounter this type of weather frequently in the winter here in West Michigan. However, given Christmas is a couple days away, travel volumes will be elevated.

Therefore, you will need to plan for extra time to get to your destination on Monday. Whether that is the store, a friend, or heading to a family holiday party, give yourself extra time and take it slow on the roads on Monday.

Major impacts are not expected with this system, but any glaze of ice could slicken up the roads quickly.

The worst impacts will be felt on untreated secondary or side roads, sidewalks, and driveways/parking lots.

By Christmas Eve, most roads will be fine as temperatures continue to warm into the mid 30s.

Stay with the 13 Weather Impact Team for more updates on this pre-Christmas wintry mix.