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Office of Emergency Management

Winter Storm

A snow squall limits visibility along a highway. In the distance, semi trucks and cars can be seen strewn along the road, with some damaged.Winter storms in Michigan can bring numbing temperatures, blinding or heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and slippery roads.  Thanks to its proximity to Lake Michigan, Kalamazoo commonly experiences lake effect snow, which can bring sudden whiteouts and enhanced snowfall rates.  Kalamazoo averages 53.6" of snow each winter.

Winter weather brings hidden dangers.  The most common deaths attributable to winter result from motor vehicle collisions, heart attacks sustained while shoveling, and asphyxiation when vehicle exhausts are plugged by snow or due to improperly vented heaters.

Historical Events

Great White Hurricane

November 7-11, 1913 - This storm produced 90+ mph winds and dropped up to 24" of snow.  The sudden fury capsized and sank boats on four of the five Great Lakes and killed 235 people.  Widespread power outages resulted, and snow and wreckage kept roads blocked for days.

Blizzard of 1967

January 26-27, 1967 - This blizzard dropped 30 inches of snow on Kalamazoo on bare ground.  Drivers abandoned their cars in the resulting snow drifts and transportation ground to a halt.  Twenty two people died across the state as a result of the storm.  The National Guard was called out to assist.  It took several days for the snow (and buried cars) to be cleared and for businesses to reopen.

Great Blizzard of 1978

January 26-27, 1978 - Occurring on the anniversary of the Blizzard of 1976, the Great Blizzard of 1978 dropped 20 inches of snow in the Kalamazoo area on top of existing snow, although Muskegon received an astounding 52 inches of snow.  Winds gusted between 50 and 70 mph and windchills were as cold as 30 below, resulting in massive snow drifts.  Twenty people died as a result of the storm across the state.

North American Blizzard of 1999

January 2-3, 1999 - Southwest Michigan received up to 28 inches of snow.  While highways were closed for a day or two, schools, businesses, and airports took several days to reopen.

I-94 Pileup of 2015Firefighters spray water onto the burned out wreckage of several semi trucks amidst snow covered vehicles scattered across the highway and its shoulders.

January 9, 2015 - An extended whiteout due to lake effect snow caught drivers by suprise on I-94, and vehicle after vehicle joined a massive pileup that stretched for miles.  By the time visibility improved and the highway was closed, 193 vehicles were involved on both sides of the highway.  One person was killed and twenty three were injured.  An acid tanker caught fire in the middle of tA news image from the fireworks semi scene shows a blackened pile of wreckage with fireworks and smoke spraying out in every direction.he wreckage, and soon a semi trailer hauling fireworks joined it.  The exploding fireworks sent firefighters and media alike diving for shelter.  The fire could not be safely put out, and the hulk took days to finally burn out.  Drivers were shuttled to nearby temporary shelters until their vehicles could be safely recovered.

Resources

Forecasts, Watches, and Warnings

Educational Materials