Welcome to the Snowfall Competition Webpage!

The GEO Department is hosting a snowfall prediction competition where students and staff make guesses on what the snowfall total will be in Grand Rapids at the end of the winter season. The entry period for this years competition has ended, but you can follow along here where snowfall amount for the season will be updated throughout the winter.

Here is a link to the running list of snowfall predictions for the year:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1l-gth8HKYdHuNWmQ454d9LBcI58km0l3P6UIF2OqXI4/edit?usp=sharing

Below, you will find information on the current snowfall total for the year, previous years’ competition results, previous years’ snowfall totals, and expert predictions on snowfall for this winter.

Questions? Email Will Hofmann at wdh2@calvin.edu

Current Snowfall total for Grand Rapids, MI from Fall 2023 - Spring 2024:

3.2 inches (8.1 centimeters)

(last update: 12/20/23)

2022-2023 -- Competition not held

2021-2022 -- Competition not held

2020-2021 -- Competition not held

2019-2020 -- Katie Benedict (64 in/163 cm)

2018-2019 -- Noah Schumerth (86 in/218 cm)

2017-2018 -- Hans Leisman (82 in/208 cm)

2016-2017 -- Data not available

2015-2016 -- Kayla VandenBosch (61.5 in/155 cm)

2014-2015 -- Mark Bjelland (78.1 in/198 cm)

2013-2014 -- Gerry Van Kooten (118 in/300 cm)

(numbers rounded to nearest cm)

2022-2023 -- (110.1 in/280 cm)

2021-2022 -- (71.0 in/180 cm)

2020-2021 -- (46.1 in/117 cm)

2019-2020 -- (53.5 in/136 cm)

2018-2019 -- (81.3 in/207 cm)

2017-2018 -- (77.7 in/197 cm)

2016-2017 -- (60.1 in/153 cm)

2015-2016 -- (61.1 in/155 cm)

2014-2015 -- (78.1 in/198 cm)

2013-2014 -- (118 in/300 cm)

(numbers rounded to nearest cm)

Want more information on predicted snowfall? Here is what some professionals are predicting for the 2023-2024 winter season in the west Michigan/Grand Rapids area.

In the past 3 decades, Grand Rapids has received an average of 77 inches of snow per winter, according to the Midwest Regional Climate Center.

However, the Climate Prediction Center suggests that El Nino will cause warmer-than-average temperatures across much of the Northern U.S. this winter. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also suggests drier-than-average conditions.

Additionally, The NOAA Winter Outlook forecasts a 40-50% chance that Michigan sees below average precipitation.

For more information, check out the links below.

Local News:

Local 4's Michigan Winter Weather Outlook for 2023-2024

WLNS NOAA Releases 2023-2024 Winter Predictions for Michigan

National Weather Service:

NWS Climate Prediction Center Outlook

NOAA U.S. Winter Weather Outlook

Just for fun:

Old Farmer's Almanac Prediction for the 2023-2024 Winter

Detroit Free Press' explanation of Farmer's Almanac methods for weather prediction