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Ask Ellen: Is there a point lake-effect shuts down due to lake ice?
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Lake-effect snow is only possible if there is enough open water for the phenomenon to form, and with ice forming this winter, some Great Lakes have already seen impacts on lake-effect production from the ice cover. Lake Erie has seen the lake-effect completely shut down for more than two weeks, with coverage climbing into the 90 percent range. Lake Huron has seen a reduction in snow intensity when the wind has been out of the southwest. When it comes to shutting down lake-effect, it's less about how much ice is on each lake and more about how well each lake maintains a long stretch of open water. HOW FROZEN DOES LAKE MICHIGAN HAVE TO GET TO SHUT DOWN LAKE-EFFECT SNOW? Meteorologists spend less time looking for ice concentration percentages and more time focusing on fetch when it comes to lake-effect snow. Fetch is defined as the span of open water over which cold air travels in order to produce lake-effect clouds and snow. Mathematically, cold air must travel in a streamline over 50 miles of open water to produce lake-effect flurries, and at least 100 miles of open water to produce lake-effect snow. Certain wind directions and speeds favorbigger flake development. The best lake-effect snow production occurs when the wind is between 5 and 10 mph, because it gives the air more time to remain over the open water. Our lightest snow occurs when the wind is out of the due west over Lake Michigan, with heavier snow possible with a northwest or a southwest flow. The heaviest snow occurs when air travels over Lakes Superior and Michigan with a northerly flow allowing cold air over 400 miles to soak up moisture and warmth from the lake below.
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Snow Sport Report: Feb. 5, 2026
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Snow enthusiasts will be glad to hear that we'll squeeze in another spectacular weekend before a warmup arrives next week. So far, February has picked up right where January has left off, as frigid cold has dominated more often than not the past three weeks. The past 18 days' temperatures have been nearly 13 degrees below average. Odd-even parking violators ‘dramatically’ slow Grand Rapids snowplows This means both Michigan peninsulas are covered tip to tip with snow, most of which is lake-effect. There's been a lot of shoveling going on across the state, as everyone is running above average in terms of snowfall. After two-year gap, Grand Haven restoring sidewalk snow removal It's been impressive locally as well. Grand Rapids' season snowfall as of Thursday is more than a foot ahead of last season. Muskegon's stats are even more impressive. As of Thursday, Muskegon has received more than 3 feet more snow than last year! Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app SKIERS Cross-country or downhill — pick your location and you should be good to go. Ski resorts across the state are averaging between 2- and 4-foot bases. Ski resort pictures were taken Thursday morning. SCHUSS: Nearly 12 feet of snow has fallen this season over the Shanty Creek Schuss Mountain Resort. All runs are open with the hours of Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Alpine tubing runs from Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can purchase discount lift tickets on "Super Sundays" between 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. with $60 lift tickets that include rentals and a group lesson. On Saturday, the resort will hosts the White Pine Stampede, one of the longest cross country ski events in Michigan. CANNONSBURG: Snow has been plentiful the past several weeks at Cannonsburg. The resort is running at 100%. Hours are Friday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tubing with reservations only runs Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cannonsburg is hosting Galentine's Day on Friday the 13th. This will include skiing, snowboarding and drink specials for the ladies. BITTERSWEET: All 20 runs will be open this weekend. Hours are Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. TIMBER RIDGE: Nearly all the runs are open and can be skied Friday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Timber Ridge will host the Hornbeck Hoopla this Saturday, Feb. 7, at 3 p.m. More info can be found on their Facebook page. CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN: Average base is over 4 feet! This has the Crystal resort running 100% of their 59 runs. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crystal is hosting SOUPer Ski Sunday, Feb. 8, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. CABERFAE PEAKS: More than 120 inches of snow has graced the Peaks with ideal ski and snowboarding conditions. All runs are open between the hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. THE HIGHLANDS: It's been a fantastic season so far for the resort with six of eight lifts running, servicing all 55 of their runs. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and resuming 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Highlands is hosting the Parent and Child Race Saturday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. On Sunday, your lift ticket purchase will help support local conservation efforts: Ski Today for a Better Tomorrow will be Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. BOYNE MOUNTAIN: You should always be able to find a fun, favorite run with all 65 runs open. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and resuming 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ski Today for a Better Tomorrow will be Sunday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. On Friday, Feb. 13, the slopes will be open until midnight. NUB'S NOB: Is in tip top shape with around 120 inches for the season. Not a surprise, then, that all slopes are open. Hours are Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. TREE TOPS: Nearly 115 inches of snow this season has the resort rocking at 100%. Hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extreme tubing Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. SNOWMOBILERS My friend Jeremy and his buddies were able to catch some rays on Houghton Lake last Saturday and take in the best of Tip Up Town. On Feb. 14 and 15, Houghton Lake will host the Vintage and Antique Snowmobile Show and Ride. Trails are going to be fantastic this weekend as long as the groomers can keep up with the traffic. I'm heading up for my big annual snowmobile trip that will hopefully include the "Ice Bridge" to Mackinac Island, then west to the Keweenaw Peninsula and possibly even the Porkies. I'll send reports. It looks like the last shot of Arctic air that we'll see for a while will arrive this weekend. Highs Saturday will remain in the teens, and in the teens and 20s Sunday. Fair warning, snowmobilers: This might be the last really good weekend under the bridge. Warmer temperatures loom on the horizon. The weather pattern does appear to be an active one, but with the above-average temperatures, what type of precipitation will it be? Stay tuned. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter The Snow Sport Report is sponsored by Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek Resort. -
Groundhog Day: Is Michigan on track for six more weeks of winter?
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Monday morning, indicating six more weeks of winter. Will that be the case for West Michigan? PHIL'S ACCURACY On a national level, the nation's most famous rodent is accurate around 39% of the time. However, he predicts West Michigan winters slightly better with an accuracy of 57% in the last seven years. Phil's prediction comes on the heels of a cold and snowy end to January. The last two weeks of January brought just over 30 inches of snow to Grand Rapids. That makes it the snowiest second half of the month on record. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter WARMER START TO FEBRUARY, COLDER END Relief is in sight for West Michigan the first week of February. While temperatures are not exactly above average, it will be considerably warmer than the end of January, with highs in the mid-20s. The trend currently shows that West Michigan will be on the warmer side of things into the second week of February, with a chance of high temperatures above freezing. This comes with a relatively quiet pattern, limiting snow chances. That warmup, however, looks to be brief. In the third week of February, temperatures are expected to cool down once again. This is the time frame when snow chances could once again make a big return. Storm Team 8 Forecast The start of spring is just over six weeks away on March 20. It's a bit too far to project what early March will bring, however, the Climate Prediction Center is projecting an active end to winter and spring that could bring elevated snow chances. It's safe to say that Phil will likely be right this year.
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What to do — and not do — about ice dams
WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — Roofing companies have been busy fielding calls and making repairs as the winter weather has led to big icicles and ice dams on many West Michigan homes. Ice dams form when heat escapes a home through the roof, melts the snow and water freezes at the edge of the roof. Tim Killingbeck with Roach Home Improvement says the damage can be costly. “We've seen crazy things happen, but I have definitely seen some eaves fall down or be broken. It can cause a lot of rot in places that it shouldn't because of the actual ice building up and going up against it. It could be $1,000 difference just in the fact of what it can cause with rot itself,” Killingbeck said. Plumbers see more frozen pipes amid low temps Water can also seep through shingles, causing even more damage inside. While you may be tempted to use metal tools to knock away the ice, that can make the problem worse. Experts recommend putting calcium chloride in nylon stockings and placing them perpendicular to the gutters. “That will allow it to melt and create a channel for the water to come out,” Killingbeck said. Icicles hang off a roof in Wyoming, Michigan, on Jan. 30, 2026. Icicles hang off a roof in Wyoming, Michigan, on Jan. 30, 2026. Icicles hang off a roof in Wyoming, Michigan, on Jan. 30, 2026. Icicles hang off a roof in Wyoming, Michigan, on Jan. 30, 2026. Icicles on homes in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of Grand Rapids on Jan. 30, 2026. Icicles on homes in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of Grand Rapids on Jan. 30, 2026. Icicles on homes in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of Grand Rapids on Jan. 30, 2026. Icicles on homes in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of Grand Rapids on Jan. 30, 2026. Icicles on homes in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of Grand Rapids on Jan. 30, 2026. Odd-even parking violators ‘dramatically’ slow Grand Rapids snowplows To prevent the ice dams, you need to have proper ventilation and enough insulation to prevent excessive of heat from escaping. You can use a roof rake to reduce the snow buildup, but that can sometimes cause additional damage. “Even though you get a portion of that snow off there, you're leaving a portion and ... that heat loss is still going to turn that to liquid and run down and create the same problem,” Killingbeck said.
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Snow Sport Report: Jan. 29, 2026
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Several factors will combine to make this perhaps the best weekend of the winter to enjoy winter sports. Dangerously cold wind chills return Friday morning Let's begin with temperatures as they have been very cold, allowing us to hold onto the snow. We haven't had a temperature hit freezing since Jan. 17! Of course, with all the cold, the snow has been plentiful, and much of it courtesy of Lake Michigan. Last year on this date, Grand Rapids had 52 inches of season snowfall and Muskegon had 57 inches. So we are running way ahead of last year, including the average. Muskegon has already exceeded its average snowfall for the season, and it's not even February yet. West Michigan plow drivers tired as snow keeps falling This abundance of snowfall can be found across the remainder of the state too. This has allowed for the snowpack to consistently build, setting up Michigan for an excellent weekend to play in it. The deepest snow depth in the state I could find is in Painesdale, just south of Houghton, at 50 inches. It's been a very busy pattern with numerous rounds of snow. During the past two weeks in Grand Rapids, all but two days we've had measurable snow amounting to 31.1 inches! A much tamer pattern will develop over the next two weeks with no snowstorms in sight. Below is the snowfall forecast through the first weekend of February. It keeps all locations with less than 4 inches of snow. Grab your sunglasses and shaded goggles as sunshine will replace the snow this weekend. Sunshine will not equal warmth, though, as temperatures remain much below average. The good news: It will not be as cold as last weekend, and with the light wind and sunshine, it will feel warmer than the actual temperature. Sunday will be the warmer of the two days. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app SKIERS It was so cold last weekend that skiers going down the slopes were creating wind chills of 20 to 40 below zero. Yikes. All resorts are in tip-top shape and ready for your business. Here's a couple snapshot pictures of the camera at Schuss Mountain and Shanty Creek resort along with Crystal Mountain Thursday morning. SCHUSS: A fresh 14 inches of snow has fallen this past week placing the Shanty Creek Resort in a prime spot for some of the deepest snow anywhere across Lower Michigan with 135 inches. 100% of the runs are open with the hours of Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Don't forget to make your reservations for alpine tubing running Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take advantage of their "Super Sundays" with $60 lift tickets that include rentals and a group lesson. CANNONSBURG: Over 2 feet of new snow has fallen over Cannonsburg during the past weeks. The resort is running at 100%. Hours are Friday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tubing with reservations only runs Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. BITTERSWEET: Sixteen inches of new snow has fallen this week and you can take advantage of it with all their runs ready to carve up. Hours are Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. TIMBER RIDGE: Nearly all the runs are open and can be skied Friday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN: All 59 runs are open with a base of 3 to 4 feet. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CABERFAE PEAKS: Season snow has hit 119 inches and ready for your edges to carve it up. All runs are open between the hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. THE HIGHLANDS: It's yet another resort that has eclipsed the century mark in snowfall with 124 inches for the season and 16 inches this past week alone. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and resuming 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. BOYNE MOUNTAIN: Boasts 65 runs and they are all open. Hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and resuming 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. NUB'S NOB: Over 120 inches for the season has Nub's primed for an excellent weekend of skiing. All slopes are open Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. TREE TOPS: One hundred percent of their runs are open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extreme tubing Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. SNOWMOBILERS My Jeremy and his wife and family braved the cold last weekend. Hit many of the popular stops in the Eastern U.P. including one of my favorites the Pine Stump (pictured). So it will be another fantastic weekend of trail conditions both in Lower and Upper Michigan, and not as cold. There's a few snowmobile events going on this weekend. Here's a sample of a few snowmobile events this weekend. More information can be found on Facebook. The Motor City Sledheads are hosting their 9th annual couples ride Saturday in Sault Ste. Marie. Saturday will be the last day for Tip-Up-Town in Houghton Lake. The Trail Riders Snowmobile Club is hosting an open house in Baldwin Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Warm up with a bonfire, hot chocolate and warm food. If you want to keep it closer to the Grand Rapids and Muskegon area, there's the Winterfest Race/Poker Run this Saturday. The poker run begins out of Apple Valley with stops in the Kent City Lounge, Kazz Bar and Conklin Bar. It ends at the Wright Tavern. It looks like we are going to keep the snow for a while as Storm Team 8 doesn't expect any temperatures above freezing this week. A slightly cooler than average pattern will continue through the first 10 days of February more often than not. The pattern overall appears it won't bring us much snow the next couple of weeks, but at least it won't be melting. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter The Snow Sport Report is sponsored by Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek Resort.
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Dangerously cold wind chills return Friday morning
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — One last Arctic blast is expected in West Michigan before conditions improve into the weekend. Temperatures will plummet overnight Thursday, falling well below zero. Winds will be quite light out of the northwest, hovering in the single digits. A cold weather advisory will be in effect from midnight until 10 a.m. Friday. Wind chills will commonly fall to between -10 and -20° degrees, with locations north of I-96 possibly slipping near -25. Friday morning is expected to be the coldest morning in the eight-day forecast. Odd-even parking violators ‘dramatically’ slow Grand Rapids snowplows Most West Michigan schools will close once wind chills reach -20 degrees or colder. This comes at a time when several districts are out of snow days. Meteorologist Blake Harms will have a closer look at the chances of delays and cancellations Thursday evening. These frigid temperatures are not just localized to the Midwest. Record cold will slide as far south as Florida into Saturday. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app Warmer air will finally return next week as high temperatures reach the mid- to upper 20s.
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Several West Michigan school districts are out of snow days. What now?
ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The cold and snowy winter weather has been challenging for local school districts, with several already exceeding the total number of snow days allowed by the state. “This year has been especially difficult,” Allendale Public Schools Superintendent Garth Cooper said. “The roads have iced over and the temperatures have stayed so low that the salt hasn't been able to clear them so the snow has been steady, the temperatures have been low, and it's just added up to really bad conditions for a long time.” Allendale High School on Jan. 28, 2026. The district has had seven snow days, plus one cancellation because of a bomb threat. “Six is the number where they don't really ask any questions,” Cooper said. Inside woodtv.com: School Closing Predictions Allendale is not alone when it comes to snow days. Many West Michigan districts have already exceeded the magic number of six. It would be easy if the kids were in charge, but making the snow day call can be a tough decision for administrators. Superintendents like Cooper look at the roads and what is in the forecast. “I'm on a text thread with all the other superintendents in Ottawa County. I'm having communication with my transportation director. I talk to the principal of the Christian School to get his input as well. And then just going out and checking the conditions for myself,” Cooper said. There is a process allowing districts to request up a waiver from the Michigan Department of Education for a maximum of nine days off. Coopersville Area Public Schools and Grand Haven Area Public Schools say they are applying for that waiver. If a district goes beyond nine days, the Legislature would have to act or the district would have to change the schedule to make up the time. “There are ways that you could add some minutes and maybe add some days without extending the school year into June,” Cooper said. West Michigan superintendents know winter is far from over and additional days may be needed. “We've had snow days in March. You just don't know. They had told us that this was going to be a challenging winter,” Cooper said. Allendale says there is still time to ask for additional days. The superintendent plans to make a decision later on whether or not it will need a waiver.
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Pockets of heavy lake-effect snow Tuesday afternoon
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Most school districts in West Michigan closed Tuesday as several inches of snow stacked up across the region. Inside woodtv.com: Closings and delays A winter weather advisory remains in effect for counties along and west of US-131 until 7 p.m. Tuesday. As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, snow reports were quite impressive: Several cities reported 5 inches or more. Inside woodtv.com: Radar While the heaviest snow fell Tuesday morning, lake-effect snow showers will persist throughout the afternoon and evening. An additional 2 to 4 inches are possible for advisory counties. This snow comes with wind gusts near 30 mph. While winds will quiet down as the afternoon goes on, blowing snow will still make travel challenging. Very cold air continues to stay in place this week, even with sunshine chances increasing. Arctic air will continue to pour into the Great Lakes through Sunday with wind chills as cold as 20 below possible at times from Thursday to Sunday, especially in the predawn hours. Stay with Storm Team 8 for new alerts and updates regarding the cold.
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Chief Meteorologist Ellen Bacca (and husband Mark) welcomed their first child over the weekend, with the birth of Piper Sunny. Check out these sweet pictures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hurricane Lee continues to slowly track toward the United States. Click here for the latest on intensity and path<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saturday brought plenty of sunshine and calm conditions. Bill’s Blog dives into what is currently the calmest day of 2023.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
WEATHER WEAR<\/strong>
Rain Jacket
Umbrella<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SUNRISE<\/strong> 7:17 a.m.
SUNSET<\/strong> 7:59 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
PROVERBS 13:12 NIVGrand Rapids / Lakeshore
Kalamazoo
Battle Creek
Benton Harbor