Michigan’s Snowstorm Fury: Brace for Travel Disruptions This Friday!

Traffic surveillance cameras around Chicago and Gary, Indiana exhibit heavy snow bands, which are resulting in low-visibility conditions on the highways in these areas. All this intense snowfall is on its way to Michigan.

Winter Weather Alerts have already been issued for the southern section of the Lower Peninsula.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is advising motorists here in Michigan that snow accumulation rates are projected to escalate this afternoon. This may lead to low-visibility dangers on our roadways throughout the Friday afternoon rush hour and evening travel.

“The severity of the snowfall will ramp up over the coming hours,” stated the NWS meteorologists in Grand Rapids. “Traffic cameras across Illinois and Indiana show the heavier snowfall advancing towards Lower Michigan, resulting in slippery roads and diminished visibility. These circumstances will affect the Friday evening commute.”

It is probable that numerous regions across Michigan will experience slower travel speeds today and tonight as the snow blankets our state.

According to the NWS forecast, the snowfall will occur in two phases:

“Initially, a steady accumulation of 2 to 3 inches of snow for the majority… ceasing by midnight,” as noted in today’s NWS forecast. “There may be enhancements from southwest winds off the lake, favoring an area to receive over 3 inches by evening in parts of Muskegon, Ottawa, western Allegan, and potentially southwest Newaygo.”

The second round of snow will arrive overnight and continue into early Saturday. This will consist of lake-effect snow showers, with the possibility of intense bursts of snowfall.

“When combining both parts of this event, localized totals exceeding 6 inches are feasible in Lakeshore regions west of U.S. 131.”

The snowfall prediction for southeast Michigan is estimated to be in the 2-4 inch range, as per the NWS.