Friday’s snowstorm slows rush hour commute
Drivers had a slow commute to work Friday. The snow arrived early and it continued throughout the morning commute.
Macomb County saw between 3 and 4 inches of snowfall, while parts of Oakland County had a little more than 2 inches.
The snow along with breezy conditions created areas of ice over bridges and poor visibility in open areas.
The National Weather Service in White Lake said the snow is expected to end gradually some time overnight. “We do have some flurries lingering,” said Megan Varcie, a meteorologist with the weather service. However, what falls will be more or less a dusting of snow and very little accumulation.
Saturday is expected to be mostly cloudy with temperatures in the mid 30s.
Winds out of the north are expected to be around 20 mph.
“Sunday and going into Monday there’s an additional chance of snow but nothing significant in either Macomb or Oakland,” Varcie said, noting that this year’s snowfall for the Metro Detroit area is about 11 inches below average, which is usually about 40 inches.
If you must be out on the roads, allow plenty of time to get where you need to go and be prepared for an emergency.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following winter driving safety tips:
• Slow down — it’s harder to control or stop
• Keep your distance — increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.
• Don’t crowd a snow plow or travel beside the truck — Snow plows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently. If you find yourself behind a snow plow, stay far enough behind it and use caution if you pass the plow.
In an emergency
If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, stay focused on yourself and your passengers, your car, and your surroundings.
• Stay with your car and don’t overexert yourself.
• Let your car be seen. Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and keep the interior dome light on.
• Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of any snow and run your car only sporadically — just long enough to stay warm. Don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.
• Inspect your tires at least once a month and before long road trips. It’s best to check the tires when they’re cold, meaning that they have not been driven on for at least three hours. Check each tire’s age — some vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six years regardless of use.
Stock your vehicle
Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving-related tasks, and supplies you might need in an emergency, including:
• A snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper;
• Abrasive material (sand or kitty litter), in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow;
• Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices (flares and emergency markers);
• Blankets for protection from the cold; and
• A cell phone and charger, water, food, and any necessary medicine.
Top off the tank
Keep your gas tank close to full whenever possible.
For electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, decrease the drain on the battery. In general, lithium ion batteries have reduced energy at lower temperatures. Additionally, most vehicle batteries will use battery power for self-heating in low temperatures. The battery drain due to heating can be minimized by keeping your electric vehicle as warm as possible during freezing temperatures. A common way to do this: plug your vehicle in at night during the winter, keeping the battery temperature in its optimal ranges.
Plan your route
Check your local weather and traffic reports before heading out. If your roads are not in good shape, consider postponing non-essential travel until the roads are cleared. If you do have to go out, make sure you are prepared in case you become delayed while traveling. If making a long road trip when winter weather is forecasted, consider leaving early or changing your departure to avoid being on the roads during the worst of the storm.