“Enjoy the cool side of the pillow” was what Spring Lake students woke up to on Wednesday, January 10, as a precaution for inclement weather. As the major storm moved across West Michigan with snow, wind, and ice, Spring Lake Superintendent Dennis Furton made the call three more times, resulting in a four-day weekend and another Wednesday off. 

Reports of a winter storm, complete with freezing temperatures and numerous inches of snow, made driving conditions dangerous. Furton on Twitter called Friday’s cancelation due to “concerns about the weather system moving in tomorrow.” All Spring Lake events scheduled for Friday and Saturday were canceled, including the varsity and junior varsity basketball games and the regional competition for Business Professionals of America. 

The winter weather event was caused by a strong area of low pressure coming in towards the Lower Peninsula, which caused wet, heavy snow to fall. Sunday and Monday snowfall was a result of arctic air and lake effect snow that was expected to be lighter, but faster falling snow, according to Accuweather. 

While the first snow day during this time was called in the morning, the other three were called the night before. Spring Lake was among the majority of West Michigan schools to close on those days. 

A winter weather spanned multiple days in Ottawa County due to wind chills reaching as low as minus 25 degrees. The weekend storm brought 8-12 inches of snow overall, not including the lake effect snow that continued throughout the week. 

Temperatures are expected to climb this week, accompanied by rain, which can cause extensive melting and the risk of flooding.

Public schools in Michigan are allowed up to seven snow days without having to add days to the calendar. After a snowstorm on Halloween caused an earlier cancellation, the school has so far called five.

Spring Lake’s Snow Days To Date:

November 1

January 10

January 12

January 15

January 17