GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Big lake-effect snows this winter have led to feast-or-famine seasonal totals so far in Michigan.
With no major snowstorms traversing the state of Michigan so far this winter, snowfall has been almost exclusively in the form of lake-effect, particularly in the northwest-flow belts. Thus, using data from both National Weather Service climate sites and Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network observing sites, the difference in snow totals within and outside of the lake-effect belts is glaring.
Maps show two clear bullseyes in the state of Michigan so far this winter: in parts of the eastern Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula.
Great Lakes ice coverage making gains as colder weather continues
TWO CITIES ECLIPSE 8 FEET
There are two communities in the state that have received close to 9 feet of snow through the first week of January.
Munising, located in the eastern Upper Peninsula along Lake Superior, has received 108.7 inches. Gaylord, located in the northern Lower Peninsula along I-75, has received 107.5 inches. Both totals are between 3 and 4 feet above average.
Elsewhere up north, there is a clear distinction between the lake-effect and non-lake-effect favored regions. Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula is at 96.6 inches, which is more than 40 inches above average. Meanwhile, Marquette has only received 44.7 inches, nearly 3 feet below average. Further downstate, Kalkaska’s position downwind of Lake Michigan has led to its 83.5 inches and Traverse City’s 62.1 inches, while Alpena’s location on the western shores of Lake Huron have led to only 21.4 inches.
DOWNSTATE TOTALS LAG BEHIND
As expected, even in the lake-effect belts downstate, the magnitude of lake-effect hasn’t matched that of the upstate favored regions. Grand Rapids has received 35.8 inches, just under 2 inches above average. Meanwhile, Plainwell is at 37.3, Grandville 33.6, Holland 30.8 and Hastings 20 inches.
The lack of snow is much more pronounced across the central and eastern parts of the Lower Peninsula. Lansing’s 13.6 inches is about a half-foot behind, while Detroit has only received 6.0 inches, less than half of its average by now. One of the lowest totals in the state is Hillsdale, which has only recorded 5.3 inches.
Related Post
Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter
WILL THE PATTERN CHANGE?
While colder-than-normal conditions are likely to persist for at least the next one to two weeks, there are little signs of any major snowstorms.
Therefore, as cold air continues to pour over the Great Lakes, it’s the lake-effect favored regions that will continue adding to their totals, while inland locations will likely fall further behind.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
