While the forecasts for the Wednesday-Thursday snowstorm are telling us we should be prepared for 4 inches of snow as a baseline, here’s why you should plan for more.
The National Weather Service (NWS) this afternoon issued a map showing which areas across the Lower Peninsula have the highest percentage of getting at least 4 inches of snow or more. And those percentages are coming in high.
For example, you can see on the NWS map that the dark blue shaded areas have the best chance of getting – and topping – at least 4 inches of snow starting Wednesday afternoon. Some of the cities and their chances by percent include:
Alma: 91%Bad Axe: 90%St. Joe: 89%Flint: 88%Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing: 86%Big Rapids and Muskegon: 85%Cadillac: 81%Jackson: 71%Detroit: 70%
The NWS meteorologists in Grand Rapids say storm conditions are expected to kick in between noon and 3 p.m. Wednesday. The peak time for heavy snowfall and gusty winds will be 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Storm conditions are expected to end between 4 and 7 a.m. on Thursday.
Some forecast notes being shared by the NWS:
Wednesday evening commute will be impacted with delayed travel; Some impacts could linger into the Thursday morning commute The probability for 4″ or more of snow is generally 70% or greater for most areas The highest totals will likely be south and east of a Muskegon to Big Rapids line Total accumulations are favored to be 3″-6″ with a narrow swath of 6″-8″ possible.