School Closing Outlooks For Wednesday 01/21/2026, Thursday 01/22/2026, and Friday 01/23/2026
- Jacob Melton
- 45 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 minutes ago
Day 1 School Closing Outlook
Forecast Valid: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Forecast Issued: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 4:45 PM
Forecasters: Jacob Melton & Jonah Drake
Summary:
School closures are likely across portions of West Michigan, particularly near the Lakeshore, on Wednesday morning, as another round of locally heavy snow will be in the area.
Discussion:
School closures are looking likely once again on Wednesday morning, particularly near the lakeshore north of Holland, as another round of locally heavy snowfall will set its sights on our region into Wednesday morning.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories go into effect starting at Midnight across much of West Michigan, except for Osceola and Clare counties.
The heaviest snowfall will be in the Winter Storm Warning area due to lake enhancement, with total snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches. Localized heavier amounts, between 9 and 12 inches, are possible. Snowfall rates up to 1” per hour are possible in these areas as well, which may complicate any road-clearing efforts during the morning commute. This is where we have the “Likely” zone for school closure or delay potential, generally along the lakeshore between Holland and Hart.
In the winter weather advisory area, total snow accumulations are generally going to be slightly on the lower end, between 2 and 6 inches. The exception to this is south of Grand Rapids, between the I-96 and I-94 corridor, where local amounts that may be slightly higher are possible. This area is also showing elevated 1-hour snowfall rates as well, with up to ¾ inch per hour snowfall rates a possibility. This is where we generally have the “Elevated” and “Medium” risk zones.
Along the US-12 corridor, along with areas north of I-96 and east of US-131, snowfall totals and rates drop off, which may tend to make school closures and/or delays less likely. However, we have opted to maintain “Minuscule” and “ Limited” probabilities.
Graphical Forecast:
Day 2 School Closing Outlook
Forecast Valid: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Forecast Issued: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 4:17 PM EST
Forecasters: Jacob Melton & Jonah Drake
Special Note:
West Michigan Weather spends a lot of time making these School Closing Outlooks. It is our goal to make all of our pertinent forecasts available to everyone. However, because this is a “Day 2 Outlook” or a "Day 3 Outlook," and not a "Day 1 Outlook," and we consider this a premium benefit for those who do support us, we do ask that you help support us by donating to our organization if you are able!
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An updated version of this Outlook will be available in the Day 1 School Closing Outlook, which will be available to everyone tomorrow evening!
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