Lake-Effect Snow in Michigan, December 4 to 5, 1997

An upper level low pressure system brought colder air across Lake Michigan into western Lower Michigan during the night of Thursday, December 4th through late afternoon Friday, December 5th. West to northwest winds brought lake effect snow showers inland across most of the western counties of the lower peninsula, resulting in snow accumulations which ranged from 1 to 11 inches in the above noted counties. As is typically the case with lake effect, snowfall totals across the region were highly variable in nature. Roads became snow-covered and slippery in the region with the usual increased number of minor accidents associated with snowfall across West Michigan. The morning rush hour was especially hazardous, as heavier snow squalls were reported south of Grand Rapids and Holland across Allegan and Van Buren Counties. Snowfall reports indicated the most significant accumulations were across Mason, Oceana, northern Muskegon, Allegan, Van Buren, northern Cass, and western Kalamazoo Counties. In these areas, accumulations averaged 6 to 11 inches. Snow reports included 11.2 inches in Scottville, 8 inches in Plainwell and Oshtemo, 7.5 inches in Pentwater, and 6 inches in Cassopolis.