Today's taste of real spring weather is just a teaser as we brace for another round of winter-like weather across a good chunk of Michigan. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued across nearly all of the northern half of Lower Michigan. Right now, this does not include any part of metro Detroit. A slow moving, long duration storm will likely bring freezing rain to the Watch area with over 6 inches of heavy, wet snow north of this zone. Traveling will become increasing more difficult as the weekend wears on.
The storm will start as mainly rain on Friday across most of Lower Michigan. As colder air slides in, freezing rain and/or sleet will become more likely across northern Lower Michigan Friday night. This freezing line may even extend far enough south to areas near the I-69 corridor by Saturday afternoon or evening.
This biggest concern with this four-day storm will be the potential for ice accumulation within the Winter Storm Watch zone. Initial forecast data is indicating ice accumulations greater than half an inch. To complicate things even more, strong northeast winds gusting 35 mph or higher will impact the area, as well. Any ice on trees or power lines could lead to tree damage or power outages this weekend.
Remember, since this is a very fluid and dynamic storm system, make sure to check for forecast updates throughout the weekend.
