Some need to know about snowfall in Michigan over the next few days, including a 10-inch snow

Several different patches of snow will move across Michigan today and Thursday. There will be a few areas of heavy snow, but most of us just have a period of slower, slicker roads.

The big picture is that a lake effect event with heavy snow is taking place now, Wednesday afternoon into evening right along the Lake Michigan shore. Then another cold front will sweep across Lower Michigan overnight and Thursday, moving the snow showers southeast across Michigan.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the southwest wind, heavy snow effect this afternoon and tonight along the shores of Lake Michigan. The heavy snow will fall from Ottawa County, just west of Grand Rapids, to Leelanau County, just west of Traverse City. Three to seven inches of snow will fall during this short period today. The snow will also blow around very lightly with fluffy, dry flakes and wind gusts up to 35 mph. Occasional white-outs are possible along US 31 from Holland to Traverse City. It will be safer to take US 131 north from Grand Rapids than to take US 31 north.

On Thursday, the snow will be north-west to south-east oriented lake effect snow. The general snow flurry activity will move into the east and southeast Lower toward Thursday morning. On the east side of the state, we could have an inch or two of snow around morning drive time. It’s not a blizzard, but maybe a slippery period where you have to drive more slowly.

Here is the radar forecast for this afternoon through Thursday noon. It shows you the different snow patches that will cross Lower Michigan.

Here is the overall snow forecast for today through tomorrow. It’s a local blizzard for the western lakeshores and light snow for the rest of us.

Up to 10 inches of additional snow could fall from Benton Harbor north through Muskegon to Ludington, Manistee, Northport and Harbor Springs. Also note that our models are starting to show a two or three inches of snow around the Saginaw Bay region.

The snow will end Thursday night for eastern Michigan and Friday morning, with the lake-effect blizzard howling now.