GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Say it ain't snow! Gaylord spotted their first flakes of the season before 8 a.m. this morning. Marquette also saw occasional snowfall, capturing this wintry scene.
Last year, Grand Rapids saw its first trace of snow on Nov. 2 and over an inch of snow on Nov. 12. On average, Grand Rapids does not see its first snowfall until early November—typically late November is when we see our first average inch.
Muskegon is even later in the season. Their average trace of snow, over the last 30 years, is Nov. 15 and the first inch on Nov. 26.
So statistically speaking, we likely have another month or so until we see snow in West Michigan. But that's not to say it's impossible to see snow earlier than that.
Now, while there is no snow in the 10-day forecast, we do have frost advisories and freeze watches issued for portions of West Michigan Friday night. This could end the growing season for some locations.
The following counties are included in the frost advisory: Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Montcalm, Gratiot, Kent, Ionia, Clinton, Barry and Kalamazoo. This means that temperatures in these areas will be as low as 33° and that could result in frost formation. Temperatures near freezing could harm plants and other sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.
Freeze Watches have been issued for the counties highlighted in teal blue. This means that sub freezing temperatures as low as 30° is possible for Eaton, Ingham and Calhoun counties from late tonight into Saturday morning. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and bring the growing season to an end for these locations.
So, while snow may still be a ways away, we certainly are sinking into that late-season fall airmass and hints of winter are coming our way.
6-10 Day Outlook
Wed. Oct. 12 through Sun. Oct. 16 calls for below average temperatures and near average precipitation. Average highs are around 61-63° with an average precipitation of 0.65".
8-14 Day Outlook
Fri. Oct. 14 through Thu. Oct. 20 calls for below average temperatures and below average precipitation. Average highs are around 59-62° with an average precipitation of 0.91" and average snowfall of 0.1".
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