The first real snowfall of the 2022-23 winter season arrived Thursday morning in West Michigan and area public safety officials were issuing cautions to motorists.

The Leighton Township Fire Department posted on Facebook: “Time to get acclimated with winter driving again. Roads are very slick this morning. Use caution and slow down. Numerous slideoffs have happened on Division from Kent/Allegan line to 142nd intersection.”

The Allegan County Road Commission posted, “The west side of our county has snow covered and slippery conditions. Please drive carefully as we work to clear and salt the roads.

There were reports from motorists who traveled west from Martin to Allegan that M-222 was icy and most vehicles were going only 30 to 40 miles per hour.

Officials with the National Weather Service said there will be two significant challenges on the roads. “First, drivers may experience sudden changes in snow intensity, traction and speed. Second, it will take drivers longer to stop due to warm pavement melting snow and cold air freezing it into ice.”

As of noon, there were no reports of schools shutting down, but prospects were interesting for Friday. However, There was a report at Wayland High School that six inches had fallen by 3:30 p.m. Thursday.