Winter’s wrath stinging Macomb
Residents groan, snow-lovers delight as swath of U.S. witnesses historic weather
The first of two winter storms this week bore down on southeast Michigan on Monday, bringing with it a massive outburst of brutally cold air and nearly a foot of wet, heavy snow that wasn’t expected to let up until Tuesday morning.
A winter storm warning was issued for Macomb County and the rest of metro area from 6 p.m. Monday through noon Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say between 5-9 inches in wet snow accumulations is possible.
Norm Malinowski of Roseville was busy shoveling the remnants of snow that fell early Monday from the sidewalk in front of his house in Roseville Monday in anticipation of the big blast.
“It’s got to be done,” he said. “Might as well get a little bit in front of it.”
The storm was expected to start moving into the region early Monday night and continue overnight. At times, snowfall could reach an inch an hour.
Traveling will be difficult as low visibility and falling snow will delay motorists.
In advance of the storm, a number of communities declared snow emergencies, which limits or bans parking of vehicles on side streets to give snowplows plenty of room to maneuver:
• Center Line — went into effect at 1 p.m. Monday and expires at midnight Friday.
• Eastpointe — goes into effect at 9 p.m. Monday and expires once the roads are clear, said Public Safety Director George Rouhib.
• Fraser — effective at 6 p.m. Monday and going through 8
a.m. Wednesday, according to Public Safety Director Mike Pettyes.
• Sterling Heights — goes into effect at 7 a.m. today.
• Warren — Mayor Jim Fouts said at the time that vehicles must be off city roads by 5 p.m. Monday or their owners face tickets with fines ranging from $100 to $1,000.
• Roseville — goes into place at 6 a.m. today. Cars must be moved off of streets. The order will remain in place for 36 hours after the snow has stopped unless it is extended by City Manager Scott Adkins.
*Don’t forget to help out neighbors with the shoveling of their walks,” Fouts said in a statement. “We could get accumulations of a foot of snow. We need the streets cleared for emergency vehicles (fire, EMS, and police) so please clear your street of all vehicles.”
Total accumulation by Monday was estimated to be around 7 inches. Wind chill values as low as 2 below zero were also expected.
Another 2 inches are likely by 8 a.m. today. The high will be near 20, but will feel like 2 below zero with the wind chill factored in. tonight’s low will be around 2.
The Macomb County Department of Roads had more than 40 trucks on the road since Monday morning prepping the roads. More than 125 vehicles are expected to be called in by this morning to help clear the roads as weather dictates.
“We want to remind drivers to please travel with caution and allow extra time to reach your destination,” roads department spokesperson Eric Dimoff said. “A few extra minutes of travel time is worth you, your family and fellow drivers safety.”
Leo Ciavatta. maintenance director for the roads department, said drivers will be working a split shift blading and salting the roads “until the snow stops.” Traditional salt loses its impact in 17-degree weather, but Macomb County uses a saltwater brine in its mix, which is effective for condition up to 30 degrees below zero, he said.
More accumulating snow is possible Thursday night going into Friday.