Below, see the predictions for whether West Michigan school districts will be closed Friday, Dec. 6. If you are looking for another day, click here for the latest school closing predictions article.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — While one or two lakeshore districts could need another day to shovel out, most West Michigan schools are expected to be open Friday.
The winter storm warning is set to expire for the lakeshore & Kalamazoo counties at 1 a.m., as is the winter weather advisory for Kent county and others.
Heavy snow has been falling along the lakeshore through the day Thursday. Snowfall rates are expected to decrease overnight, but the amount of snow may be enough for one or two districts to make it a long weekend.
PREDICTION: Ottawa & Kent counties
The immediate lakeshore in Ottawa county has been hit hard with lake-effect snow Thursday, especially along the US-31 corridor. With a few more inches possible here overnight, it’s possible to see enough for a closing, but unlikely. Snowfall rates will have diminished by daybreak Friday.
PREDICTION: Southern area
Much like the immediate Ottawa county lakeshore, western Allegan and most of Van Buren counties have been hit very hard by lake-effect snow through the day Thursday.
With another couple inches possible after dark, it may be enough to cancel one or two districts. However, this chance is low.
PREDICTION: Northern area
As lake-effect snow weakens overnight, a few inches are possible across the lakeshore communities into western Newaygo county. Rural lakeshore districts could see closings due to icy back roads, but this chance remains low. There’s also a non-zero chance for a few rural districts northeast of Grand Rapids to close if gravel roads ice back up overnight.
When schools make the decision to close, you can find it on our closings and delays page.
LOOKING AHEAD
After a warm-up early next week, another round of lake-effect snow will be possible.
