Lake Effect Rain Could Put a Chill on West Michigan’s Halloween

West Michigan’s Halloween forecast is shaping up to be a little trickier than a bag of mixed candy. While it’s not looking like a total washout, a wave of lake-effect rain could drift in off Lake Michigan just in time for trick-or-treating and damper some of your plans.

Meteorologists say the chances for showers sit around 30% for Friday and Saturday as we move to the backside of a low-pressure system. Winds will shift to the west-northwest at 6 to 12 miles per hour, with a few gusts up to 25.

According to meteorologists, temperatures are currently expected to dip from the low 50s into the upper 40s during prime candy-collecting hours, which will be enough for a classic spooky breeze that makes the leaves dance and costumes flutter.

While the rain chances remain limited, it’s West Michigan, and lake-effect weather has a way of sneaking up when you least expect it. So, it might be worth having a backup plan or two ready in case Mother Nature wants to add her own eerie ambiance to Halloween night.

If you’d rather keep those costumes dry, here are a few creative ways to still get in the spirit:

• Check out a Trunk-or-Treat early in the week while it’s still dry. Local schools, churches, and community centers often host these family-friendly events, complete with candy, music, and no soggy sneakers.
• Bring the umbrella brigade. If your kids insist on trick-or-treating no matter what, grab a big umbrella and follow along between houses. That way, they still get to show off their costumes (and you stay the hero who kept their makeup from melting.)
• Host a “Hallow-in” night. Invite a few friends over, make a blanket fort, and trade doorbells for a candy scavenger hunt around the house. Bonus points if you turn the lights down and play spooky sound effects.
•  Keep the fun going indoors. A round of pumpkin bowling (with toilet paper “ghost” pins), a scary movie marathon, or decorating caramel apples can keep the magic alive even when it’s raining outside.

It’s too early to say whether Halloween night will be a total fright fest weather-wise, but a little drizzle doesn’t have to dampen your plans.

After all, a spooky breeze, a cloudy sky, and a few raindrops might just make the perfect atmosphere for a night of ghoulish fun… as long as you’ve got a plan, a poncho, and a pocket full of candy.