A winter storm is expected in parts of the state beginning Friday, bringing up to 8 inches of snow in some areas, potential power outages and freezing temperatures.
A storm watch was issued for 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday for Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties, along with communities near Flint and the Thumb region, where snow accumulations may exceed 6 inches, the weather service said.
“Very strong westerly winds” could produce gusts up to 45-50 mph, the weather service said.
Wind chill values were expected to drop into the single digits Saturday, then below zero on Sunday.
By Wednesday night, the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said on X (formerly Twitter) that details will solidify over the next few days, but “heavy snow and strong winds are already looking probable.”
Snowfall could exceed 8 inches with wind gusts to 50 mph for parts of northern Lower Michigan from Friday to Saturday. The areas include Presque Isle, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcon, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Gladwin and Arenac counties.
Travel conditions through Friday evening were predicted to worsen, “owing to whiteout conditions from significant blowing and drifting snow” in open areas, the weather service said. Scattered power outages could occur.
In southeast Michigan, accumulations of up to 2 inches were expected from 4-10 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Drivers were cautioned to allow for extra time for the morning commute.
“Thursday morning commute will likely be impacted with snow covered and slippery roads as temperatures hover around and just below freezing,” the weather service said on social media.
Temperatures on Thursday were expected to reach a high near 38 and a low around 31.
Alex Manion, a meteorologist with the weather service in White Lake Township, said conditions in Metro Detroit were expected to turn from snow to rain, but cautioned that chilling temperatures could produce icy roads.
“On Thursday morning, we’re going to have a low pressure system come through from Canada,” Manion said. “There’s going to be snow as it goes through. There’s a chance for melting snowflakes and rain towards the tail end of that (system).”
Metro Detroit likely will see a transition over to rain Friday through Saturday, Manion said, adding that the region could see 2-4 inches of snow.
Temperatures were expected to top out in the upper 30s with lows in the mid-20s.
“With this system, one of the main things to stress is snowfall totals and accumulations are factors, of course, and it will impact driving due to the range of the system and wind gusts near 45 mph — even up to 50,” Manion said. “With any kind of snow, its going to cause visibility problems for people on the roads.”
Travel in Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer and Livingston counties “could be very difficult,” the weather service said. “Blowing snow will be possible, resulting in reductions of visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.”
jaimery@detroitnews.com