forecast

Economic forecasters see some growth, if sluggish, for Michigan in 2012

Rick Pluta — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:55:50 +0000

Economic forecasters are telling state officials that 2011 was a pretty good year for economic growth and job gains. They expect that will continue into 2012 and beyond –just at a slower pace.

University of Michigan economist George Fulton said the unemployment rate should drop below 10 percent this year. He projects Michigan will see a gain of 26,000 jobs in 2012 compared to about 64,000 in 2011.

Fulton said that’s because auto sales are expected to slow down in 2012, and consumers remain cautious about spending.

“Unemployment – we see that slowly drifting down over time," said Fulton. "I think that’s one of the issues in this state because the rates, even though they are coming down are still too high.”

Fulton was one of the presenters at a conference today at the state Capitol. Budget officials use the forecast to determine how much revenue the state can anticipate as they put together a spending plan.

Will the U.S. see an incentives war among car companies?

Tracy Samilton — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:55:25 +0000

Leading auto consulting firms are lowering their forecasts for U.S. auto sales in 2011.

But it is unlikely to send automakers into a panic.

Some observers say the lower volume of sales means the U.S. is ripe for an incentives war among car companies.

But Anthony Pratt with the auto consulting group R. L. Polk doesn’t see it happening. He says a lot of the triggers that set off incentives wars in the past are missing.

For one thing, U.S. car companies are making money at the lower volume of sales.

Forecast: Snow to continue

Zoe Clark — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:31:47 +0000

Forecasters are predicting snow will continue to fall across the state today with West and Mid Michigan seeing the most accumulation.

A Lake Effect Snow Warning is in effect for West Michigan and a Lake Effect Snow Advisory is in effect for Mid Michigan. Both the warning and advisory will remain until early tomorrow morning.

Today: West Michigan could see 2-4 inches; Mid Michigan 1-3 inches and just an inch or two is expected in the Southeast. Temperatures will reach the low 20s today.

Tonight: West Michigan could see another 2-4 inches of snow; across the rest of the state an inch or less is expected. Lows overnight will be in the low to mid teens.

Tomorrow: More snow for the Holland area with about 2-3 more inches expected. Otherwise, scattered snow showers with light accumulations possible. Highs in the low to mid 20's.

Forecast: Get ready for snow

Zoe Clark — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:29:21 +0000

Weather forecasters are predicting quite a bit of snow will fall throughout the state today, tonight and tomorrow.

Today: snow is likely across the state. West and Mid Michigan could see up to three inches of snow by the end of the day; the Southeast is likely to get around an inch.

Tonight: the snow continues. Parts of the state around Holland and Kalamazoo could see an addition 2 to 5 inches of snow. Mid Michigan could get another 1 to 3 inches and the Southeast will see occasional snow showers with additional accumulations of around an inch.

Tomorrow: more snow. West Michigan could see another 2-5 inches. Another 2-4 inches is expected in parts of Mid Michigan and the Southeast is predicted to get another 1-2 inches.

Meanwhile, a lake effect snow advisory will go into effect this afternoon through tomorrow for parts of West and Mid Michigan.