Michigan is bracing for a significant weather event this weekend, featuring an Arctic cold front and lake effect snow. The state is under a Winter Storm Warning affecting Oceana, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties, with advisories in place across the southern Lower Peninsula.
Forecast Overview
According to the National Weather Service, snow accumulations along the Lake Michigan shoreline could reach between 9 to 12 inches. In contrast, Southeast Michigan is expected to see lighter snowfall, accumulating 1 to 3 inches.
- Lake Michigan shoreline: 9-12 inches of snow
- Southeast Michigan: 1-3 inches of snow
Temperatures and Wind Chill Advisory
Temperatures are anticipated to rise slightly today, reaching the low 30s in some southern areas, while the Upper Peninsula will struggle to reach 20 degrees. However, the colder air mass arriving soon will bring the coldest temperatures of the winter.
Forecasters predict that a severe cold outbreak is set to begin Thursday night. Wind chill values could drop to minus 35 degrees or colder across a vast area of Michigan by Saturday morning.
Snow and Travel Conditions
The light to moderate snowfall affecting southern Michigan today will taper off, but lake effect snow is expected to return later in the day, especially in regions along Lake Superior. Areas like the Keweenaw Peninsula might receive 3 to 6 additional inches.
Warnings and Advisories
The National Weather Service has stated that winter weather advisories remain in effect for northern Houghton and Keweenaw counties. Blowing snow and reduced visibility will pose risks for travelers, particularly from Thursday night through Friday afternoon.
- If traveling, exercise caution due to low visibility.
- Wind speeds may reach 20 mph, exacerbating hazardous road conditions.
Extreme Cold Watch
An Extreme Cold Watch is in effect for western and central Upper Michigan, with expected temperatures dipping below zero. Some locations might see low readings of minus 15 degrees or colder by Friday morning.
Even southern Lower Michigan is likely to experience single-digit highs with night temperatures plunging below zero. The harsh cold is expected to persist through at least Sunday morning.
Weekend Outlook
Lake effect snow will continue intermittently over the weekend, but accumulations are anticipated to be limited due to the extremely cold temperatures, which tend to create finer snowflakes. Residents should prepare for challenging conditions throughout this cold spell.
