Schools across West Michigan may see a higher chance of closures on Monday, Dec. 1, following a weekend storm that dropped significant snowfall across the region.

Although many main routes improved Sunday afternoon, several rural and back roads have refrozen, increasing safety concerns for morning travel.

Snowfall Totals And Road Conditions

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Between 6 and 12 inches of snow blanketed the area late Saturday, leaving many secondary roads covered.

Warmer temperatures on Sunday helped melt some accumulation, but as the mercury dipped below freezing overnight, untreated roads iced over again, raising the risk of hazardous early-morning commutes.

These worsening conditions—combined with early closures already announced—have boosted the likelihood of additional districts shutting down for the day.

Southern West Michigan School Closing Predictions

Higher Chances In St. Joseph And Van Buren Counties

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Schools in St. Joseph County were among the first to call off classes Sunday evening.

Districts in Van Buren County are also expected to announce closures, with conditions supporting a strong possibility of additional shutdowns.

Possible Closings In Adjacent Areas

Rural regions of Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Branch counties may also join the list if road conditions continue to deteriorate.

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Meanwhile, schools in Allegan, Barry, and Eaton counties sit in a low-chance category but may still see isolated closures depending on Monday’s early-morning conditions.

Northern West Michigan School Closing Predictions

Rural Districts Face Higher Risk

In the northern counties, closures are most likely in Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, and Montcalm counties, where rural roads tend to freeze faster and remain untreated longer. These areas have the highest probability of seeing schools close on Monday.

Some Closings Possible in Muskegon, Ionia, and Northern Kent

A handful of schools in Muskegon, Ionia, and northern Kent counties could also opt to close but chances remain moderate. Meanwhile, Ottawa County and metro Grand Rapids are unlikely to experience widespread school shutdowns due to better road conditions.

Looking Ahead to Tuesday

Forecasters note that lake-effect snow is expected to intensify Monday night, which could lead to additional school closings—especially along the lakeshore near Muskegon—on Tuesday.

Districts in these regions should prepare for potentially challenging travel conditions extending into mid-week.

With significant weekend snowfall and overnight refreezing, several West Michigan school districts—particularly in rural areas—are facing a higher chance of closures on Monday, Dec. 1.

While southern and northern counties see varying risk levels, early shutdowns in St. Joseph and Van Buren counties suggest the likelihood of more districts following suit.

Families should stay alert for early-morning updates, especially as lake-effect snow threatens additional disruptions on Tuesday.

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