SE Michigan likely to be blanketed by snowstorm
Nine days after an ice storm left upward of 700,000 homes and business without electricity for days, southeast Michigan is preparing for a traditional snowstorm.
And we’re talking a whole lot of snow.
The National Weather Service in White Lake has issued a winter storm watch that will be in effect from noon Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday.
According to the watch, total accumulations of 6-10 inches of heavy, wet snow is possible, with wind gusts as high as 35-45 mph.
Weather officials say some uncertainty still exists regarding the trajectory of the rain/snow line. But it’s possible the area could receive 1-2 inches of snow per hour over a three- to sixhour period Friday.
“These heavy rates will be possible Friday afternoon into Friday evening and may impact the rush hour commute,” the weather service said in its storm watch notice.
Also, high wind gusts may result in rapid reductions to visibility with snowfall. Isolated power outages will be possible from the cumulative impacts of accumulating heavy snow and gusty winds, meteorologists say.
The bottom line is travel will be difficult late Friday afternoon through the evening hours as road conditions deteriorate and reduced visibilities.
The good news is, more spring-like weather is expected to arrive Monday with highs near 50 degrees.
Here’s a look at the forecast for next few days:
• Friday — Look for some snow beginning at noon and lasting until 3 p.m. Rain moves in for an hour, followed by an hours-long snowfall again around 4 p.m. Breezy conditions are likely with winds around 20 mph, gusting to near 40 mph. The high will be near 39 degrees. New snow accumulation of around 2 inches.
• Friday night — Snow ending around 1 a.m. then changing to rain. A low around 33. New snowfall amounts around 4 inches.
• Saturday — Cloudy conditions, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a northwest wind about 20 mph decreasing to 10-15 mph in the afternoon. An overnight low of 32.
• Sunday — Look for sunny conditions and a high near 43, falling to an overnight low of 32.
• Monday — The start of a new workweek brings a high near 48 under cloudy skies with a chance of rain after 1 p.m.