Winter storm to slap Michigan with freezing rain, heavy snow and ice - MLive.com

The patchwork of colorful winter storm watches, warnings and other weather advisories covering the Michigan forecast map today spells out the wide range of weather about to descend on the Great Lakes area tonight, with a storm system expected to push into the state after sunset.

From another load of heavy snow destined for the Upper Peninsula and the northern tier of the Lower Peninsula, to motorists’ dreaded “wintry mix” further south, there’s a lot to unpack in this coming storm, according to the National Weather Service.

The biggest area of concern is right in the center of the Lower Peninsula, in a line from Grand Rapids east to Flint and north to Grayling. That’s the likely area for up to a quarter inch of ice to develop in the line where rain is transitioning to snow. This ice could form during a storm system bringing winds higher than 30 mph, which raises the issue of possible power outages and hazardous driving conditions.

“The potential for ice accumulations and power outages tonight through Sunday is increasing with the greatest risk in the yellow dashed area. Prepare for falling tree limbs and power outages, even if on the edge of the risk zone,” NWS staff in Grand Rapids said in sharing the map below.

The system is expected to kick in after 7 p.m. tonight and last until Sunday morning.

Areas south of the possible ice line - including Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor and Detroit - should see mostly rain.

Nearly all of the Upper Peninsula is looking at another good snowfall. The forecast is for 8 or 9 inches of snow to fall along the northern rim of the Upper Peninsula, including Marquette to Munising. Farther south, that snowfall is expected to surge, with up to 16 inches expected in Escanaba.

Meteorologists at the NWS Marquette office are waiting to see if the storm’s track will shift as it approaches the Great Lakes.

“A small shift in the track of the storm will make a big difference in snow amounts, especially for the counties bordering Lake Superior,” staff there said. “Those traveling tonight and Sunday should be prepared for difficult driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly.”

In the Thumb area, a mix of rain, sleet and snow is expected to begin falling sometime after 7 p.m. tonight. This includes an area from Saginaw down to Flint and east to Port Huron. The heaviest precipitation is expected in the Tri-Cities area, and travel conditions could get dicey.

“There is a potential for heavy freezing rain over portions of the area tonight,” NWS staff in the Detrot/Pontiac office said.

Areas further south, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, are not include in the Winter Storm Watch or the more general Winter Weather Advisory.

Northern Lower Peninsula could see up to 8 inches of snow near the Mackinac Bridge, with amounts lessening the farther south you go and morphing into that wintry mix. Wind gusts could peak at 45 mph.

“An impactful winter storm is on tap for northern Michigan late tonight through Sunday,” meteorologists at the NWS Gaylord office said. “While snow/blowing snow is expected for most, a messy wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow is possible along/south of M-72.”

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