Heavy Snow — Lake, Michigan

2015-01-08 to 2015-01-09 · Lake, Michigan

Event narrative

Trained spotters reported 10 to 12 inches of snow across western Lake county and considerable blowing and drifting of snow. Snowfall totals were lighter east of US-131.

Wider weather episode

An Alberta Clipper weather system was enhanced by Lake Michigan moisture and brought heavy snow and strong winds that resulted in considerable blowing and drifting snow and very hazardous travel conditions. There were many reports of 8 to 14 inches of snow, with the heaviest snow occurring near to mainly west of US-131. Wind gusts reached 40 to 55 mph, highest near the Lake Michigan shoreline where the heaviest snow fell, which caused extensive blowing and drifting of snow. A 193 car pileup occurred on Interstate 94 near Galesburg, between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek during the early afternoon hours of Friday January 9th, where visibility was reduced to near zero at times in heavy lake effect snow bands and blowing snow. One fatality occurred in this accident.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 551086. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.