The cold air and a favorable atmospheric setup for lake-effect snow led to a prolonged and record-breaking early season snowfall across much of the Great Lakes. Due to strong winds, the greatest snow amounts were recorded further inland. Grand Rapids and Muskegon each broke one daily snowfall record during this period. The snow that fell during the cold air outbreak in the middle of the month accounted for the vast majority of the monthly totals. Grand Rapids received 31.0 inches of snow for November, eclipsing the previous record of 28.2 inches in 1895. Muskegon accumulated 24.5 inches, falling short of the 1995 record of 25.7 inches. Lansing had 6.2 inches, still above normal for the month but not even in the top ten snowiest Novembers.
Synoptic and lake effect snow continued November 17-21 and the snow was heavy at times, resulting in hazardous travel conditions through the week.  Total snowfall from November 13-21 reached 3 feet from north central Allegan county north to eastern Ottawa county.  Total snowfall reports in excess of 2 feet were common along the US-131 corridor.
November 2014 was a remarkable month for cold and snow. Temperatures across Southwest Lower Michigan averaged well below normal, snowfall was above to well above normal, and precipitation was near to above normal. Grand Rapids had their snowiest November on record while Muskegon had their second snowiest. A number of daily temperature, snowfall, and precipitation records were also set.

Lake-Effect Snow in MASON, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 16 to 20 inches of snow fell across portions of Mason county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in LAKE, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to 16 to 20 inches of snow fell across portions of Lake county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in OCEANA, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As much as two feet of snow fell across southeast Oceana county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in NEWAYGO, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As much as two and a half feet of snow fell across southern Newaygo county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

As much as two and a half feet of snow fell across eastern Muskegon county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in OTTAWA, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to three feet of snow fell across portions of eastern Ottawa county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in KENT, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

It was the snowiest November on record in Grand Rapids.  Close to three feet of snow fell across portions of far southwestern Kent county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in IONIA, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to two feet of snow fell across portions of western Ionia county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in BARRY, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to two and a half feet of snow fell across portions of Barry county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to three feet of snow fell across portions of Allegan county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in VAN BUREN, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Close to a foot and a half of snow fell across portions of Van Buren county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Close to a foot and a half of snow fell across portions of Kalamazoo county from November 17-21, resulting in very hazardous travel conditions.

Lake-Effect Snow in CALHOUN, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

More than 1 foot of snow fell across much of Calhoun County.  Strong winds were reported as well with lengthy closures of main roads.

Lake-Effect Snow in EATON, MICHIGAN
From 17-NOV-14 07:00:00 to 21-NOV-14 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

More than 15 inches of snow fall across a large portion of Eaton County.