Grand Rapids Sitting On The Edge Of Bad And Worse For Friday Storm

Snow total maps released by the National Weather Service find most of the Grand Rapids metro sitting on the eastern edge of the lake driven storm. A few miles could mean the difference between 6 inches and a foot of accumulation.

The good news? Snowmobiling and Cross Country skiing conditions are going to be absolutely fantastic along the Lakeshore. The bad news? we have to drive through this crap, and it's not going to be pretty.

The current snowfall map issued by NOAA shows Grand Rapids sitting on a line between six inches of snow and 12 inches. That line could easily shift with heavier winds, so it's hard to say right now how tough it will get, but you can pretty much count on the six inch total being hit by early morning on Friday.

Driving conditions, which this week have been icy enough with the sub zero wind chills, will deteriorate tonight as the wind blown lake effect snow branches out in to Kent County. If you're traveling east, things will get better, if you're headed west, it may get downright nasty. Be patient and allow yourself more time and you should be fine.

Here's the official forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today

A chance of snow showers before 1pm, then snow showers with areas of blowing snow after 1pm. High near 11. Wind chill values as low as -9. South wind 16 to 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of around 3 inches.

Tonight

Snow showers with areas of blowing snow. Steady temperature around 12. Wind chill values as low as -10. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 14 to 22 mph becoming west northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around 6 inches.

Friday

Snow showers with areas of blowing snow. High near 11. Wind chill values as low as -8. West northwest wind 15 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night

Snow showers. Low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -13. West wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Good luck, and remember, we're all counting on you.