DETROIT – True blizzard conditions hit the Central Plains and Midwest Wednesday and overnight with heavy snow and 40-50 mph wind creating blinding, life-threatening weather for anybody caught out in the storm.
Northern Michigan has been taking the brunt of the storm, and I've been scanning the snow reports.
More: Storm brings rain, wind then snow to metro Detroit
As of early Thursday afternoon, some of the highest snow totals I've seen are 6 inches in Lake City, 5.8 inches just west of Traverse City, and 5.5 inches in Clare -- keep in mind that this snow fell in only six hours. That equates to an inch per hour!
Read: Detailed rain, snow forecast for Metro Detroit, Michigan
The heavy, wet snow also is wreaking havoc on power lines in some areas, as I just received a report of numerous lines down across Osceola County. Some areas in the northern lower peninsula have now changed over to rain, but this is a short interval, and the precipitation will change back to snow as the storm crosses the state this evening.
Read more: Snow falls in northern Michigan amid Midwest storm
Here in Metro Detroit everything continues as expected. We had a solid band of rain come through the area Thursday afternoon, and now a bit of a lull has moved in for the late afternoon and early evening hours, before more showers return.
Michigan rainfall totals:
For the latest Michigan rainfall totals go to JustWeather.com/radar/rainfall.
By late evening rain will begin transitioning to snow. However, since temperatures will remain above freezing overnight, I don't think we'll see much accumulation by Friday morning. Perhaps there could be a dusting on some grassy areas for some of you, but I expect pavement surfaces to be just wet.
Share your wintry weather photos right here.
Go to JustWeather.com for the latest snow advisories and forecast.
Although this is not a significantly disruptive storm for us here in the Detroit area, what you will notice is the big change in our weather, and especially with the strong wind we'll see developing tomorrow (possibly gusting to 40 mph at times).
By the end of the day Friday, there could be a coating of snow ... hopefully enough to hang around for a White Christmas!
Michigan snowfall totals:
To view Michigan's snow totals go to JustWeather.com/radar/snowfall.