Many schools in West Michigan will close on Thursday, December 5th due to the snowstorm

UPDATE: This story has been updated as of Wednesday evening to include additional school closures on Thursday morning, December 5, due to the winter storm.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Hundreds of schools in West Michigan are closed Thursday, Dec. 5, as a storm system brings heavy snow and gusty winds, creating dangerous conditions.

A winter storm warning is in effect for several counties until 1 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

Counties in Kent, Kalamazoo, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, Van Buren, Calhoun, Montcalm, Ionia, Barry, Newaygo, Mason and Oceana counties, among others, announced their closures Wednesday evening and Thursday morning as weather conditions worsened.

RELATED: The storm’s highest wind gust reaches 74 mph, damage is reported

Grand Rapids Public Schools, the largest school district in the region, recently announced its closure, joining hundreds of others including Kalamazoo, Forest Hills, Kalamazoo, Rockford, Hudsonville, Kentwood, West Ottawa, Portage, Muskegon, North Muskegon, Grandville, Holland, Northview, Zeeland, Comstock Park, Grand Haven, Grandville, Jenison, Fruitport, Coopersville, Allendale, Spring Lake and Zeeland.

Other counties include: Mona Shores, Lowell, Wyoming, Cedar Springs, Sparta, Comstock, Battle Creek, Big Rapids, Parchment, Gull Lake, Hart, Ludington, Otsego, Paw Paw, Plainwell, Ravenna, Mona Shores, Reeths-Puffer, Schoolcraft , South Haven and Wayland-Union schools.

For a complete list, visit WZZM-13.

Snow and blowing snow are expected on Thursday, which will make roads slippery. The highs are expected to be between 26 and 31, the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said.

The storm hit West Michigan Wednesday evening, causing power outages and treacherous driving conditions in some areas. Police and fire departments responded to numerous accidents as well as downed trees and power lines.

As of 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, more than 16,000 Consumer Energy customers are without power, primarily along the lakefront.

Related: Thousands without power as a powerful storm hits Michigan

Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo County buildings and Kalamazoo city offices and Ottawa County buildings will also be closed.

Related: Storm Update: Thunderstorms are embedded in the winter storm, thunderstorms are possible