Snowy Super Bowl Sunday!

Good Afternoon!

The snow that I forecast as just being light has intensified over the last few hours and become our familiar friend lake-effect.  Just take a look at the banding visible in the radar reflectivity image from the Grand Rapids NEXRAD.

Grand Rapids NEXRAD 

So, MOTS - More Of The Same.  Lake-effect snow, heavy west of 131, some of that reaching into south central Michigan and creating some headaches.

SUMMARY:  As I indicated before, ridge west, trough east in the upper air setup.  Northwest wind coming out of Canada and pulling cold air down with it.  Some embedded disturbances in the larger flow pattern.  Chilly northwest winds blowing across a slightly warmer Lake Michigan trigger lake-effect snow that is then carried across the state from winds blowing around 40 MPH or so at 5,000 feet above the ground. This is our setup in a nutshell for the next few days, and we keep it around at least through the middle of the week, when some changes start occurring in the upper atmosphere.

Forecast models mid week indicate that our flow will change to a more zonal pattern Wednesday night, with a few waves in it.  We warm up slightly as ridging tries to sneak some warmer air up this way, but I am less than thrilled with any real warmth making it this way.  All in all, I think we remain in the mid 30's from Wednesday through to the weekend.

SNOW:  With the lake-effect snow going on, we pick up 2-4" lake-effect aided inches in most spots of the blog, especially in the south zone tomorrow.  After that, a couple of Clipper systems Tuesday, and perhaps Thursday will bring us more snow.  Right now, two inches looks like a safe bet on the high side for the Thursday Clipper.  I fully expect to change it up a bit as we get closer to the tail end of the work week.  Here's what the National Weather Service thinks regarding precipitation for the next five days...

5 Day Precipitation Forecast

That .40" bullseye up around Cadillac looks interesting.  If that verifies, another six inches are possible up that way.

OK, here's the forecast for Jackson and surrounding areas including Grass Lake and Parma:

Tonight, cloudy skies, snow picking up in intensity late; 2-3" possible by morning drive, locally heavier amounts possible, low 12, wind chills near zero.  Winds become northerly 5-10 MPH.

Monday, continued cloudy, snow tapering off around lunchtime, high 21, winds N 5-10 MPH.  Up to an inch of additional accumulation possible.

Monday night, mainly cloudy, maybe a few peeks of snow, very cold, lows down near 8, wind chills drop to around zero.  Wind N 3-7 MPH.

Tuesday, cloudy skies continue, another Clipper brings us a chance of more snow, perhaps up to 2" locally, most places closer to 1".  High 23, winds W 6-12 MPH keep wind chills in the teens.

Wednesday, mainly cloudy, possibly a peek of sun, not as cold, high 28, wind WSW 6-12 MPH.

Thursday, cloudy skies, snow developing mid-morning, perhaps 2" in most places, some may be heavier, high 33.

Friday, a mix of clouds and a bit of sunshine, warmer still, high 36.

Saturday, partly sunny, high 36.

There's a look at your forecast for the next six days, i do hope that you have a great evening.  Enjoy the Super Bowl!  Blessings.