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• Ask Ellen: Is it possible to see a mirage on Lake Michigan in winter?

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Lake Michigan is known for producing mirages when conditions are right, and on very rare occasions, that can include during the wintertime. For a mirage to form, we need open water and a very stable day. This means a day with very little wind and plenty of sunshine. In West Michigan, it can be hard to have a day with open water, sunshine, and very little wind during our winter months. Still, if we get the combination in winter or early spring, the setup can refract and reflect light in a strange way, making things look as if they are hovering above the water, like this ice shelf that is displaced too high above the horizon. After reviewing satellite imagery, we can confirm this is the ice shelf Sherry Idsinga spotted, but it appears to be feet above the water rather than floating directly on it. This is a superior mirage. The light refracting and reflecting off the object travels through the different-density air masses, allowing people at the shore to see the ice in a strange position. Is it possible to see across Lake Michigan? Normally, it is impossible to see across Lake Michigan. But when conditions are right, a mirage can make people see objects on the other shore. The same day Idsinga posted about the hovering ice shelf, Rick Vuyst spotted a strange, tall object jutting up from the lake's surface. Vuyst says he searched online, checking barge-tracking sites to see if it was a type of ship. The only possible match at the time, the Frontenac, looked nothing like the object he was seeing. That's when another photographer realized the object looked exactly like Wind Pointe Lighthouse, near Racine, Wisconsin. Sure enough, the mirage allowed Vuyst to see the lighthouse, located more than 80 miles from his position in Muskegon.

• Ask Ellen: What are these splashes of rainbow in the sky?

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Occasionally, near sunrise and sunset, the atmosphere can produce beautiful optical effects, such as rainbow-like splashes on either side of the sun. These splashes are called "sundogs," and they often look like diffused rainbows equidistant from the sun. Sun dogs will always have the red part of the rainbow facing the sun. Occasionally, conditions may only be right for you to see one of the two sun dogs. If cloud cover is too thick on one side of the sun, it will mute the effect or block it completely. Occasionally, sun dogs will appear to be connected by a giant halo around the sun. This is called a 22-degree halo, named for the angle at which light is refracted off of hexagonal ice crystals in the sky. For sun dogs or ice halos to form, there usually needs to be a thin layer of uniform ice crystals in the sky. These optical phenomena rarely happen in the middle of the day, as conditions are most favorable early and late when the sun is lower on the horizon.

• Storm Prediction Center makes changes to its convective outlook

  (WHNT) — The Storm Prediction Center will be making changes to its convective outlook. The SPC issues severe weather outlooks for the entire country. The new changes will take effect on March 3, 2026. Currently, the center issues outlooks on a scale from marginal (1), to slight (2), enhanced (3), moderate (4), and high (5). The marginal risk is shown in dark green, the slight in yellow, the enhanced in orange, the moderate in red, and the high in pink. Within these risk outlooks, the SPC breaks down tornado, wind, and hail probabilities, with a hatched area indicating where there would be a 10 percent chance of seeing two-inch hail or larger, 75 mph wind or greater, or EF2 or stronger tornadoes within 25 miles of any point in that hatched area. The new outlook will stick with the same color and threat level, although it will introduce intensity levels within each hazard's outlook. For example, in the tornado probability maps, instead of the standard "hatched" area, the SPC will use three different line patterns to denote intensity levels as seen in the image below. The Storm Prediction Center posted this on X regarding the intensity levels: The hope is to better communicate the threat level in future events.

• Snow Sport Report: Feb. 12, 2026

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Winter enthusiasts will want to take advantage of the next few days. Luckily, the snow pack remains robust across most of Michigan for now. Meteorologist Matt Kirkwood is on his annual snowmobiling trip up north. He reports optimal snow pack and even some fresh snow! CURRENT CONDITIONS After a frigid end to January and early February, temperatures are starting to level out. Near average highs took over for the second week of February. Luckily, the snow pack has stuck around ideal for skiers and snowboarders. The snow coverage across the country is hovering right around 24%, slightly lower than last month where 27% of the country was covered in snow. This comes at a time where the west coast is seeing record lowest snow totals. Salt Lake City, for example, has not seen an inch or more snowfall in almost a year. Snow is still well above average for most of Michigan. Grand Rapids is hovering right around 70 inches of snow, just short of the 78 inches an average winter brings. SKI RESORTS As mentioned, the next few days are crucial for those who want to enjoy the snow pack. Even by late weekend, a lot of the snow will be melting away. SCHUSS: All 42 trails and 2 terrain parks are open. Over the last two days, the resort has seen a fresh 2 inches of snow. 152 inches have fallen there so far this winter! CANNONSBURG: 18 out of 22 trails are open with a 3 foot base. Cannonsburg is hosting a Galentine's Day event February 13 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Details can be found here. BITTERSWEET: All of the trails and terrains are open with a snow base ranging from three to five feet. TIMBER RIDGE: With 70% trail access, the resort has a snow pack range of one to four feet. BOYNE MOUNTAIN: Only an inch of snow has fallen in the past 24 hours, but it's just enough for a fresh coat. All 65 trails remain open with seven of 10 lifts ready to go. CABERFAE PEAKS: 125 inches of snow have fallen at Caberfae Peaks this winter! The maximum snow base remains around 50 inches. The resort has several activities going on this holiday weekend including DJ & Karaoke Friday, and live music Saturday and Sunday. TREE TOPS: A light dusting of snow fell at the resort over the last day bringing the snow base to four feet in some spots. 28 slopes and 100% of terrains are open. MELTING SNOW INCOMING Temperatures will be on the rise into the third week of February with high temperatures in the mid to upper 40s. Widespread melting snow is quite likely to take shape Saturday and Sunday, at least for areas near and south of Highway 10. By next Wednesday, some West Michigan cities will make a run at 50 degrees! The overall trend favors warmer than average temperatures through February 22. The average high during that time frame should hover in the low to mid 30s. General trends indicate cooler temperatures will arrive for the last week of February. Perhaps better snow chances will return then.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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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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

TODAY<\/strong>
Widespread Rain Developing
Pockets of Locally Heavy Rain
HIGH:<\/strong> 67
LOW:<\/strong> 55
WINDS: SE 5-10 mph<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUNRISE<\/strong> 7:17 a.m.
SUNSET<\/strong> 7:59 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY<\/strong> Take along the rain jacket and umbrella as you head out the door, as widespread rain will be rolling through the area today. The most concentrated rain will prevail during the morning hours, with the rain becoming more scattered in nature late in the day. Amounts will range from 0.10-0.50+ and will likely be localized. Otherwise, expect overcast skies and highs in the mid-upper 60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TUESDAY<\/strong> – WEDNESDAY<\/strong> Scattered showers continue for most of Tuesday before tapering off Wednesday morning. Cooler temperatures arrive with highs in the low to mid-60s. It will be breezy as winds come from the north at 10-20 mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THURSDAY <\/strong> Cool and quiet conditions will prevail with more sunshine and highs in the mid-upper 60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRIDAY <\/strong> Plenty of sunshine is on tap, with slightly warmer air returning to the area. Afternoon highs will reach the mid-70s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEEKEND WEATHER<\/strong> Sunshine will continue to dominate over the weekend, with highs in the low-mid 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LOOKING AHEAD<\/strong> The overall pattern remains mostly dry and warmer than “average” into the fourth week of September, with the 8 to 14 day outlook placing West Michigan in a drier and warmer-than-normal pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n