News DetailEXTREME lake effect snow event in Southwest Lower Michigan!
Posted At: December 23, 2007 @ 11:00 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Snow
As a rapidly strengthening cyclone becomes vertically-stacked over eastern Lake Superior, the coldest air of the season will sweep across the relatively warm Great Lakes, resulting in the development of intense lake effect snow squalls by mid-afternoon across western Lower Michigan. NWS Grand Rapids has issued a winter storm warning for most of this area, but left Kent County (county including Grand Rapids) out of the warning! I'm guessing they probably did this because they thought the winds would be too southerly for the band to set up this far south and east. I thought Kent County would be "ground zero" since cold southwesterly flow almost always results in the highest accumulations being here since the fetch over the lake is maximized. In addition, the models veer the winds to a more westerly direction tonight, which at the very least would then bring the band into Grand Rapids if it wasn't already there. Also, with the very strong boundary layer winds, the highest snow accumulations should be 10-30 miles away from the lake shore. Even if we do see 6 inches rather than 8, the difference would be negligible with a 50 mph wind anyway. It will be interesting to see how this pans out, but I bet Kent County will be added to the warning this evening! We've already had light snow showers this morning immediately following the intense cold frontal passage, and my sister lost power with the thunderstorms along the front (which has since been restored). Stay tuned for pictures and video from this classic LE event!
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Wow, cool! We'll be looking forward to video Reed! (first comment again, yeehaw ;)
To answer Brady's question in the last blog post, there's still snow on the ground here in SW Kansas. It's struggling to get to 30 degrees, so it'll stick around longer than I thought... maybe till Christmas day... :)
Everyone's talking snow..but if you take a look at southern Ontario, it's all about the heavy rain, and yes, possible THUNDERSTORMS. http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/on-143_metric_e.htmlird
I hope Matt gets to film some thunderstorms!
Anyway,Tonight/Monday morning looks terrific for me to get some moderate snowfall!
Theres like 30-40mph winds here with 60mph gusts!
Thunder and Lightning here in Ohio early this morning with trees down and powerlines down about 40 miles to my West. Winds are gusting between 40-54mph and the temp is falling like a rock from the 55 early to now 41.
Big storms around the DelMarVa today looks like.
Neat! Are there any chasers out and about in that area today?? Anyone have any clue?? lol.
SLIGHT RISK DAY ON THE EAST COAST! AAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Heavy snow in Grand Rapids! The band is setting up right over us! I'm heading to the store to get some mini-DV tapes....NOT PREPARED!!!!
It just keeps getting better... this is off the subject, but does anyone have the weekly outlook for the eastern US? I'll be taking a small trip from KS to South Carolina on the 29th, and I'd like to know what kind of weather I'll be dealing with. I don't have any forecasts that go that far into the week, and if anyone has one, I'd love it if I could take a look.
Hehe!! I guess that does answer that!! It's still coming down sumptin fierce here!! about a 6" drift in front of my door!! =) Time to go fire up the sled!!
I'm sure you all herd of the granrapids tornado...
It was an F5 just one question for Reed since you said you were born there have you seen this land mark?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj5VU3-0mTU&feature=related
Nothing but rain here havent heard and thunder yet
Still coming down nice here!! it's really blowing!! stings in the face!!We use full face snowmobile helmets here for a reason!! hehe I'm gonna take the sled to the bar for some beers and some Burger!! I'll try to get some pics!!
I was playing my drums and I throught what makes a tornado skip?
And I thought I had random thoughts... lol jk Caleb. Brady, bring us back some beer and burgers, I'm hungry. haha
i will believe that when i see it heidi- im looking at the radar- out of norfolk virginia where part of the risk is- i see no warnings- i don't see it happeneing as ruc cape values are well under 100 j/kg and i see just a solid area of rain with embeded thunder just like what we had yesterday- allthough a nice line is starting to form from richmond va to jarret-
Yeah LOL I just love playing the drums. here is what they look like this is'nt mine but it looks just like it.
http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/NADOKID1/?action=view¤t=p34952h-cc4ac5115f5190212e03860730c.jpg
haha. Niiice Caleb! I have Tama, and they're not as colorful, just plain black. I should go play them... be back later!
Donny - Althrough its to late, as you have already made a Fool of yourself.
1000 Feet+ above the ground, there are currently 70 to 90 Kt winds. These "showers+ thunderstorms" will likley pull some of these down with the precip, which will make 70-80 MPH Wind gusts likley, Espucally in Eastern PA and NJ, Where I am right now.
Please do your research next time. Makes you look more professional.
well thank you david-and we had the same kind of wind energy yesterday in arkansas only strong winds we had was with the arrival of the front
We have very heavy snow right now in Grand Rapids! 3 inches already on the ground. 50 mph wind gusts. MASS CHAOS!
I don't think anyone made a fool of themselves here David. What are you talking about?
Reed, am I right in assuming that when it becomes massively chaotic like that, everyone forgets how to drive?? lol.
I say "fool" is the wrong word personally... "wise men know of what they speak, fools speak of what they know."
large limbs down this am near downtown GR. several street lights still out. the wind gusts are some of the strongest i've seen in the city. stocked up on firewood and kerosene. i'm staying in and playing a board game. my mom is baking her christmas cookies hoping the power will stay on. channel 3 is saying this is going to be over by 7:30 am monday. i thought it was supposed to be noon. heard they're having strong wind gusts over on the other side of the state.
From what I see we both are in the best for this region Reed!!! I couldn't tell ya how much has fallen here, but it's nice!! Maybe next time I'll do a lil more research so I look more Professional!! but until then I'm havin fun!!
Well guys we got hit hard with rain today that melted most of the snow but also flooded my basement a little bit. Maybe about an inch on water in some areas of my basement.
Okay, now I'm really looking forward to any video from this. lol. Hold on to your hats Grand Rapids...
Kent County, and the city of Grand Rapids now upgraded to Winter Storm Warning!!
.HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED TONIGHT...WITH 4 TO 8
INCHES OF SNOW FALLING BY CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING ALONG AND WEST OF
U.S. HIGHWAY 131 FROM SOUTH HAVEN AND PLAINWELL NORTH. IN THE
ADVISORY AREA 2 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW CAN BE EXPECTED...WITH THE
HEAVIEST SNOW IN THE ADVISORY FALLING FROM MOUNT PLEASANT TO IONIA
AND HASTINGS AND BACK TOWARD THE LAKE SHORE NEAR SOUTH HAVEN. NEAR
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED AT TIMES TONIGHT AS STRONG WESTERLY
WINDS CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. ADDING TO THE
TRAVEL CONCERNS...IS THE RAIN THAT FELL EARLIER HAS REFROZE ON
SOME ROADWAYS.
Reed said he is trying to drive around, but is only able to drive 15 mph.
AAAAAAAAHH!! Brady, how fast can you pick me up and make it to Michigan?? lol.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff207/ontariostormchaser/Multiplelandeffectbands.png
This is what is happening in Michigan. Looks pretty sweet to me.
We were under a wind warning most of the day but it really wasnt anything that i havent seen during my chases.
Wow-AJ-who did you quote? I'm not even going to venture out in this wind-to darn cold! Even the dog doesn't like it!
Should be interesting video from Reed!
Looks sweet to me also. Susan, honestly, I have no clue who I quoted. lol. I'm looking it up as we speak... or type, or whatever....
Ah hah! It's a variation of a quote from Plato... or Benjamin Franklin... lol. I don't know which one it is, but I like it.
Im uploading video of the wind here the'll be done in a while... LOL AJ by the way don't mean to be nosey but what dose AJ stand for?
haha. I wondered how long it'd be before I got asked that Caleb ;) It's kind of my name and my nickname at the same time.... yeah, it stands for Andrew Joseph. One makes me sound like a kid, the other makes me sound like an insurance agent or something. lol
Numerous Power Outages, Along with downed powerlines and trees, along with at least 2 of those huge metal power structure down.
Ive had power blink out twice now, Wind gusting 40-50 MPH Currently, Hearing a "Jet Engine" wind sound.
David Reimer, I'd want a generator in that situation... reminds me too much of the January ice storm we had in SW Kansas. It gets scary when you can't heat your house on a 19 degree day.
Soooo all those posts by "andrew" were you?
OK Here is the video I took part 1/3
http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/NADOKID1/?action=view¤t=100_0580.flv
Been snowing and blowing hard all day here in Green Bay, gusting easily over 40-50mph at times. I think we've got about 4inches so far, though the way the wind is blowing, some spots barely have any snow while other places have big drifts. Roads are horrible since there is a layer of ice under the snow from the rain we had this morning and any plows that come through have their work cut out for them because of the wind.
Nope, I've always posted as AJ. "Andrew" is another dude, from Oklahoma I believe... he hasn't posted on here for some time... and he's older than me by a bit, like 10 years. haha.
snow reports from 3 PM Today say between 7 and 9 inches across the city of Duluth Brady, looks like we may get another inch or so b4 the snow diminishes.. Wind will stay up though most of the night, so blowing/drifting snow will persist.. 982 mb low, what a beast! Water vapor satellite imagery looks amazing right now (5pm)
There are wind damage reports from MI near where Reed is, including siding being taken off of a house!:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/today.html
Caleb, there's an Andrew too - it wasn't AJ ;)
Anyone else think Caleb's shadow looked like Gumby?! And did you throw that bottle in someone else's yard?!?!? AAAAAAA :D
I will always be "AJ" on TV.net, and you will know when it's me or not.
Jeeez, I think Reed needs to tie himself to something sturdy and hang on! Now I really wanna see the video! lol
Gumbie?? What?? lol. I don't remember Gumbie's legs being that long ;) Good job Caleb!
Yeah heidi I know i thew it LOL they don't really care about any thing LOL
Risk of Freezing Rain here in Edmonton tonight. If it happens, tomorrow should be pretty darn slippery. Temperatures are suppose to rise during the night, while snow is expected. I sure hope I see some Freezing Rain! I haven't seen it or experienced it in person for 2 years! We had it a couple weeks ago, but it happened at 5 in the morning when I was asleep!
Reed, can't wait for the footage!
Kenny, you might want special spiked ice tires when you get freezing rain... it might be a little hard to pedal when your rear wheel is spinning, and your sitting still. lol
here is part 2
http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc208/NADOKID1/?action=view¤t=100_0581.flv
Caleb, I also hate to be nosey, but it's my turn to ask a question: where do you live?? lol. You've probably already said, but I forget.
Well AJ, like I said in August..Sadly I was chasing one storm and my Bike broke..I haven't had one since August :( And I don't plan on opening one huge present with a Bike inside it on Tuesday..So when I film it, I'll be ICE SKATING1!! :)
hahahaha. Ice skating?? I'm gonna have to see this. ;) Just don't change your title to "Ice skating chaser," that doesn't sound as cool. lol.
I just got back from my grandmother's house in GR...I was making drift turns in the Subaru. Last night I saw either a power flash or a CG strike out my window...was there any lightning in the area?
Corey, it says that there was actually a power transformer explosion last night, in the storm reports on SPC.
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/yesterday.html
What model of Subaru, if you don't mind me asking?
woodford co ky AJ now take this sereisly have you ever herd of.... INTERNET SAFTY??????????????????????????
I just got back from Tim's neck of the woods!! snow totals probably aint much different than here, maybe a lil more on the hill!! but it's still coming down!! yeah!! 7" to 9" isn't outta the question!! but like I said earlier, It's hard to measure with the wind!! This has to be the best December for snow I can remember!!
Good job Brady! Sounds like a successful chase. And yes Caleb, I know about "internet safety," and I think that the internet is as safe as one person makes it. I guess I'm not making it so safe asking all these questions out of curiosity, and telling you my real name... lol. But heck, what am I supposed to do, remain anonymous and not post pics and such?
Hey ive said this before i dont mind telling people where i live because 3/4 of the people in southern ontario dont know where tottenham is to begin with.
I own guns for a reason AJ!! lol!! It was an interesting trip!! I think its starting to let up a lil, but it's blowing pretty hard still and I'm sure it will continue too for a while!!
haha. At least you're prepared Brady :P Speaking of posting pics, here's the evening sky just a little bit ago...
http://i10.tinypic.com/713pq9y.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/6nqxdad.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/6z7a9ea.jpg
VERY heavy snow here just east of Grand Rapids. We're going to go chase the band with 40 dbz moving in...hoping for some thundersnow. I'll have the tracker up stat.
WOOHOO!! Go Reed! The night just got more entertaining... hehe
Nice! Reed's in a good spot....anyone with GR3, you can add snow reflectivities here, there are 6 pages worth of different ones.
http://www.grlevelxstuff.com/index.php?categoryid=14&p13_sectionid=7
You have to sign up to be able to download. When you are done downloading the file (there are several winter weather ones there), unzip it and save it where you can remember where it is. I put mine in the GR3 file.
Once you're done on GRLevel3, go to VIEW then SET COLOR TABLE then REFLECTIVITY and select the file you just downloaded.... make sure it is the .pal one.
Good luck Reed! We had some serious thunder snow yesterday in Lawrence.
Hey Dick M! I was gonna say, you guys got the more extreme part of the storm. All I got was some snow... lol.
Hahah yeah, AJ, I was in Lawrence at my girlfriend's place. The official total I think was 5", but I measured 6-7" with drifts up to nearly 2 feet. I had to push two people out within 200 feet of her apartment last night, it was mass chaos there yesterday. I pushed an SUV out with my CAR hahaha.
lol. Nice! I guess 4x4 is no match for 6" of snow. haha. I'm guessing it was a front-wheel drive car, otherwise you would've had the same problem.
Just getting back on the internet-whoever you quoted earlier AJ/it was a good one!
jeri-BEARS SMOKED GREEN BAY!!!!wooohoooo!!!(sorry)
Dang it's even cold in the house!!Darn front door faces west/have a gap/can't wait for the darn thing to be replaced! I've had 3 cups of hot cocoa and am still cold!!!
Susan, my mom is baking cookies, and we've found that doing that warms up the house pretty well. It also makes the place smell really yummy. ;)
Yea-I did that yesterday-sugar cookies/choc chip cookies-maybe I should do the peanut butter cookies now that Amazing Race is over! brrrrrrr!!
good idea!
Nice! Hmm, now I have to take a taste test of ours... that, and my mom's yelling at me to get off. See ya guys later! Ho-ho-ho! lol
Susan, I know, some people up here are miffed at the loss, but I don't really watch football too much. My favorite sport starts up again in mid-February. Racetracks are apparently also good places for tornadoes to start, as Tropical Storm Cindy spawned one above the Atlanta racetrack that destroyed just about everything but the track itself.
On local weather, winds are still howling up here, though not as hard as earlier in the day. It looks like it is still snowing slightly, but I am hoping it tapers off soon so that the plows can clear the streets. Still can't believe the 35-degree drop of temperature that occurred as the low pressure center rotated into Green Bay this morning, nor the low millibar reading of 984!
I know-I listened to the game/but since they are out of any playoffs/no big deal/other than the big time rivaly between the two teams-just to bad they finally got their act together.
AJ-didn't realize how late it was!Didn't start cookies-threw a box of banana bread together and popped it into the oven! But glad you mentioned it!
We have at least 6-8 inches here now!
I have some video of some insane snow squalls. I'm editing them right now and should have the compilation uploaded soon.
MASS CHAOS!
Great Reed! Can't wait to see the video my 2 oldest kids are up there in MI now in Livonia. My Daughter said it was snowing a little and 19 degrees! At least they will have a white Christmas. Here in Va it was near 60 but we had T-storms in the area!
Hey where are you guys located because I myself live in GR and saw your tracker map and you are pretty close to me. Over on the NE side on Coit. We have about 5-6 inches here and the plows have gone by but the roads still have an inch or two on them.
I just got back from a nice lil 50mi ride around town!! Sleds running nice!! Hard to say how much we got here! I'd say at least 6 to 8 inches!! Can't wait to see your vid Reed!! Hoping for some more maybe Christmas Day!!