GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A potentially record-setting spring snowstorm will arrive in Michigan Wednesday, producing mostly rain before changing over to mixed rain and snow Thursday.
Heavy snows aren’t common for early April. The record single day snowfall for April 6 is 2 inches in Grand Rapids. It is possible the city will see more than that Thursday.
Computer model forecasts of snow amounts have varied widely with this storm system — anywhere from zero to more than one foot of snow in Grand Rapids. Tuesday it appeared the heaviest snow would fall northwest of Grand Rapids and now it appears it will be east and northeast of Grand Rapids. There are a number of factors to consider when forecasting for a snow storm this time of year:
- High sun angle resulting in more energy from the sun;
- Warm and moist soil resisting snow accumulation;
- Heavy snow pack across the Upper Peninsula and western Ontario, allowing cold air masses to better survive in lower Michigan;
- High water content snowfalls with snow to liquid ratios near 6:1 or 8:1 rather than 10:1 or 12:1 with colder storms.
A winter storm watch has been issued for Kent, Ionia, Montcalm, Newaygo and Mecosta counties from 2 a.m. through 11 p.m. Thursday.