Winter Weather Advisory 8, NWS Grand Rapids, MI

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
256 PM EST Fri Feb 5 2021

LATEST UPDATE...
Synopsis/Discussion/Marine

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 256 PM EST Fri Feb 5 2021

- Lake effect snow continues overnight

- Synoptic enhanced snows Saturday night and Monday

- Arctic air dominates into next weekend

&&

.DISCUSSION...(This evening through next Friday)
Issued at 256 PM EST Fri Feb 5 2021

- Lake effect snow continues overnight

Based on current trends and collaboration with surrounding
offices, the Winter Storm Warning was replaced with an advisory
which will run through noon Saturday. The Winter Weather Advisory
was dropped for the far southeast and northeast counties where
additional snowfall is expected to be less than an inch.

West-southwest winds of 30 to 35 knots through the boundary layer
have carried snow showers well inland and the fine powdery snow
has been blowing around causing hazardous travel, especially on
north-south roads where drifting is persistent. This will continue
overnight in the advisory area.

- Synoptic enhanced snows Saturday night and Monday

No big storms expected through the middle of next week, but lake
effect snows should add up to several inches across the western
half of Lower Michigan. Synoptic enhancement of the snow showers
is expected on Saturday night as a weak clipper moves through and
again on Monday into Tuesday. These events could see about 2 to 4
inches with the higher amounts across the southern half of the
forecast area.

- Arctic air dominates into next weekend

No relaxation of the arctic air through the week with 850 mb
temps at or below minus 20C most of the time. Record cold is
possible at the end of the week and beyond as there continues to
be model guidance support for an extreme core of cold air with
850 mb temps near minus 30C similar to the event of late January
2019.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon)
Issued at 1228 PM EST Fri Feb 5 2021

IFR conditions will be widespread in falling and blowing snow
into this evening along with occasional LIFR in heavier snow
squalls. Conditions will slowly improve Saturday morning. West
winds around 20 knots today with occasional gusts to 30 knots will
diminish Saturday morning to around 10 knots with gusts to 20
knots.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 256 PM EST Fri Feb 5 2021

No changes to the Gale Warning and Heavy Freezing Spray Warning.
The Gale Warning expires at 7 pm and will be replaced by a Small
Craft Advisory.

&&

.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Winter Weather Advisory until noon EST Saturday for MIZ037>039-
     043>045-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>073.

LM...Heavy Freezing Spray Warning until 10 AM EST Saturday for
     LMZ844>849.

     Gale Warning until 7 PM EST this evening for LMZ844>849.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Ostuno
DISCUSSION...Ostuno
AVIATION...Ostuno
MARINE...Ostuno

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
613 pM EST Fri Feb 5 2021

MIZ037>040-043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074-060945-
Mason-Lake-Osceola-Clare-Oceana-Newaygo-Mecosta-Isabella-Muskegon-
Montcalm-Gratiot-Ottawa-Kent-Ionia-Clinton-Allegan-Barry-Eaton-
Ingham-Van Buren-Kalamazoo-Calhoun-Jackson-
613 pM EST Fri Feb 5 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower
Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Lake effect snow showers, which will be heavy at times, will
continue tonight. Strong winds with gusts over 40 mph will create
areas of blowing and drifting snow resulting in whiteout conditions
at times. Hazardous travel conditions are expected into tonight.
Wind chills will dip to near zero today and below zero tonight

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Snow and cold will continue both this weekend and through next
week as well. Additional accumulations of snow are expected. Wind
chills below zero will continue.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

LMZ844>849-060945-
St Joseph to South Haven MI-South Haven to Holland MI-
Holland to Grand Haven MI-Grand Haven to Whitehall MI-
Whitehall to Pentwater MI-Pentwater to Manistee MI-
613 pM EST Fri Feb 5 2021

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower
Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Gale force winds are expected today along with heavy freezing
spray. Waves this morning will peak in the 10 to 13 foot range.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Winds and waves will subside on Saturday, but increase once again
Saturday night.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

DUKE