03-04-2025
A look back at the winter of 2024-2025 in West Michigan
Editor's note: The video report above aired March 13, 2025.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The winter of 2024-2025 started out slow for West Michigan, but quickly picked up speed.
Below is a summary of what the region saw over the season and why:
Going into winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicated a high probability of a weak La Nina forming. A weak La Nina indicates cooler-than-normal ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. This typically brings a colder and wetter winter to the Great Lakes. Such a pattern, however, did not take shape until January.
The first snowflakes of the season fell Nov. 20, followed by measurable snow of 0.2 inches Nov. 21. That light dusting was just the beginning: 9.2 inches fell in metro Grand Rapids Nov. 29. It was the highest single-day snowfall total of the entire winter.
The month started out with a rare phenomenon: thundersnow.
In just the first six days of the month, most cities in West Michigan saw measurable snow as temperatures remained below freezing. As winds increased, so did the snow, and snow rollers took shape.
Weathering West Michigan: Snow Season
By the time the holidays rolled around, warmer temperatures arrived across the Midwest. High temperatures remained in the 40s and 50s between Christmas and New Year's, with an inch of rain Dec. 29.
With the onset of La Nina, winter picked up in the new year. Snow fell 27 of the 31 days in January.
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From Jan. 17 to 24, heavy snow targeted the lakeshore, with reports up to 2 feet. That was in addition to an Arctic blast. Subzero low temperatures took over Jan. 21 and 22, leading to school and business closings across the state.
This Arctic blast was a bit more mild compared to the last in 2019.
West Michigan's Arctic blast by the numbers
A second arctic blast took shape in mid-February from the 17th to the 19th. This time around, low temperatures did stay above zero.
Ask Ellen: Is this 'snow shadow' real?
Snow fell the first 19 of 20 days in February before a significant pattern change came along. No measurable snow was recorded the last week in February as high temperatures hit 50 degrees for the first time, favoring a widespread melt.
Another below average month for snow as temperatures remained well above average for the middle of the month.
Michigan sees economic boost from this winter's abundant snowfall
A total of 1.6 inches of snow fell, primarily on March 20. A few flurries managed to sneak in the forecast the last few weeks, but no accumulation stuck around.
In total, Grand Rapids saw 63.7 inches of snow this winter. That is 13.9 inches below the seasonal average of 77.6 inches. This is on par with Storm Team 8's guesses at the beginning of the season. Meteorologist Scott Larson was closest:
A total of 2,552 guesses came in for the Total Snowfall Prediction Contest. Several of those guesses were in the correct range between 60 and 70 inches. A total of 25 guesses were within an inch between 63 and 64 inches.
Stacy VanderMolen was the winner of the contest.
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