A winter storm is expected to bring several inches of snow -- more than a foot in some parts - to Michigan starting on Friday.
Dozens of Michigan counties are under winter storm warnings, and most others are under a winter storm watch or winter weather advisory. Basically, everyone is getting something.
---> Power outages possible amid winter storm in Metro Detroit: Here’s why
Here’s the snow forecast for each Michigan region:
Snow in Metro Detroit
Metro Detroit will see the least amount of snow in this system -- here’s the latest from 4Warn Weather’s Bryan Schuerman: Snow will reach our southern counties first by 2 p.m. before moving into Metro Detroit by 4 p.m. The snow continue to push north into our northern counties through the evening.
The peak intensity of the precipitation is expected during the late afternoon and evening hours Friday, impacting your commute.
Some areas more north and west of Metro Detroit may not see any rain, so their snow totals will be higher. Those areas could exceed 5-6 inches of snow by the end of Friday night. For areas that receive a few inches of rain, the rain is expected to melt any of the wet snow that accumulates on Friday.
The rain will change back over to snow by 2 a.m. Saturday morning. Despite the rain, it’s still possible that Metro Detroit could receive anywhere from 2-6 inches of snow as more snow builds in before sunrise Saturday.
---> More: Winter storm arrives Friday: What Metro Detroiters should know about snow, rain
Snow in West Michigan
Most of West Michigan is under a winter storm warning through Saturday morning. Here’s the latest from NWS in Grand Rapids:
“Heavy snow and strong winds are expected for portions of Michigan starting Friday morning and continuing into Saturday. Main concerns are wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph paired with heavy snow causing blowing and drifting snow, whiteout conditions, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions. Most accumulations are during Friday afternoon and night with impacts to the evening commute likely. Locally higher amounts are possible.”
NWS predicts a total of 12-18 inches of snow possible near Ludington, about 8-12 inches near Grand Rapids, and 6-8 inches closer to Lansing.
Snow in Northern Lower Michigan
There are winter storm and blizzard warnings in effect for most of the Northern Lower Michigan region -- here’s the latest from NWS Gaylord:
“Blizzard conditions are expected across many areas of northern lower Michigan along and east of I-75 this evening and tonight. Highest snowfall totals of 10-15″ are expected for this area where localized totals near 18″ cannot be ruled out. Strong wind gusts of 35-50+ mph will combine with high snowfall rates of 1-2″ per hour to create near-zero visibility and produce significant drifting on roadways. Travel is strongly discouraged this evening and tonight as dangerous driving conditions set in, so be sure to plan accordingly.”
Snow in Michigan Upper Peninsula
The entire Upper Peninsula is under a winter storm warning -- here’s the latest from the NWS in Marquette:
“A major winter storm will affect Upper MI with moderate to heavy snow this afternoon through tonight. Snow will spread from south to north over Upper MI this morning through early afternoon. Snow will increase in intensity this afternoon across the south and this evening across the north. Lighter snow continues on Saturday across the south with heavy snow at times in the north wind snow belts. The higher terrain of Baraga and Marquette County could see up to 30″ by Saturday evening.”
Most of the U.P. will see around 8-12 inches of snow, with some pockets seeing more.