A major winter storm is coming through Michigan’s Lower Peninsula Friday. Officials are bracing for a potential blizzard in parts of the state.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to bring more than 40 mph winds and constant snowfall through early afternoon Saturday.
“We're looking at one of the more major winter storms that the area has seen for couple of years, said meteorologist Nathan Jeruzal. "Significant snow accumulation is expected."
The storm is expected to create major hazards. The National Weather Service advises against travel beginning Friday afternoon.
“With the snow being a little bit wet, it's going to obviously blow as it falls because we're going to have wind gusts potentially over 45 mph and that's going to be from the east to the west,” Jeruzal said.
The mid-Michigan region is expected to see more than eight inches of snow. The Grand Rapids and Alpena areas could see more than a foot of snow. Less than four inches is expected for Metro Detroit.
“The Lansing area is not likely to see the heaviest of snow rates, with a quarter to half an inch of snow per hour,” Jeruzal said. “Snow rates could peak at one to two inches per hour on the west side of the state.”
Jeruzal expects Friday's storm will bring low visibility and heavy snow fall by 4 p.m.
“We're going to see the wind peak the first time Friday afternoon and Friday evening, with 30 to 40 mph winds and gusts of 55 mph is expected,” he said.
At times, zero visibility is likely, with blizzard-like conditions and temperatures below freezing statewide.
“People may not be able to get out of their neighborhoods Saturday morning, and conditions are going to stay bad with those winds coming up on Saturday,” Jeruzal said.
The National Weather Service is issuing a winter storm warning beginning Friday.
“This storm is going to usher in arctic air that we have not really seen this year,” Jeruzal said, explaining the storm is likely to be followed by several days of temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
“We're not going to be able to recover quickly from this,” he added.