WATCH: 'Treacherous' Snow Bursts Cause Massive Car Crashes Across Michigan

By Logan DeLoye

December 18, 2023

Truck overturned on highway, traffic jam behind
Photo: The Image Bank RF

Winter storm warnings remain in effect for multiple Michigan counties as "treacherous" snow bursts make travel across the state more dangerous and the day goes on. According to Click On Detroit, a cold front brought "several inches of snow" to the Southern region of the state on Monday (December 18). Snow accumulation increased across the "thumb" region as temperatures continued to drop throughout the day, creating harsh roadway conditions for afternoon drivers. This allowed snow to stick to the pavement, causing multiple car pileups along I-94.

Drone footage shared by local storm chaser Jaden Pappenheim shows the aftermath of a serious crash that resulted in a car pileup along the eastbound lanes of I-94 near Kalamazoo. In the video, viewers see a crashed car torn apart near a large truck with multiple cars piled up behind them on the road. The Weather Channel mentioned that injuries occurred as a result of the six-mile pileup, but information regarding just how serious the injuries were has yet to be released.

Weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman explained how the lake-effect snow led to an increase in car crashes throughout the day.

"You don't need big snowfall totals to make travel dangerous. In this case, Kalamazoo reported snow with wind gusts from 30 to 45 mph Monday morning. That quick accumulation of snow on roads, plus visibility reduced to a quarter-mile or less, can lead to the type of vehicle wrecks we saw Monday on a busy interstate."

Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Van Buren and Allegan counties are currently under a Winter Storm Warning that will remain in effect through Tuesday afternoon.

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