GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Public Schools made the decision Thursday morning to join the extensive list of West Michigan school districts that canceled classes.

GRPS, West Michigan’s largest district, announced the call around 5:30 a.m., citing the poor weather. It canceled all classes and activities for the day, though it said administrative offices would be open.

Districts in other hard-hit areas, including Holland and Muskegon public schools along the lakeshore and Kalamazoo Public Schools further inland, had already said Wednesday evening they would not be open.

Every school district in Allegan, Barry, Muskegon and Ottawa counties was closed Thursday. Nearly every district in Kent County closed. There were also widespread closures in Calhoun, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties.

The schools canceled classes amid a winter storm warning for many counties near and west of US-131 that lasts through 1 a.m. Friday. There was a burst of snow Wednesday night. Snow was lighter and more scattered Thursday morning, but lake-effect snow was expected to throughout the day.

With strong wind gusts, whiteout conditions were sometimes expected. Additionally, cold temperatures are making road salt less effective compared to previous events this season. Road conditions were poor Thursday morning, with a number of intermittent highway closures due to crashes. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office reported a number of overnight crashes and slide-offs and advised people to stay off the roads.

The winds and snow will not subside until after sunset Thursday.