Michigan’s already snow-covered Upper Peninsula is preparing for blizzard-like conditions this weekend, while the southern part of the state braces for more potentially dangerous strong winds.
A winter storm trekking across the Plains was expected to arrive in Michigan Thursday night, the National Weather Service said.
Residents in Upper Michigan are preparing for up to a foot or more of snow to fall by midday Friday as weather forecasters say a blizzard could bring power outages and snarl traffic.
Between 11 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. Friday, heavy and blowing snow is expected across the U.P. Total accumulation up to a foot is expected, while some parts of Keweenaw and Alger counties could see up to 15 inches, NWS advised.
“Travel could be very difficult,” the warning said. “Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.”
Travel is discouraged, and anyone who must drive is urged to bring an extra flashlight, food and water in case of emergency.
Isolated power outages are possible due to wind gusts that could reach up to 45 mph, NWS said.
Thousands of Michiganians were already without power Friday morning.
DTE Energy said 14,390 of its customers were in the dark, with about 99.37% of its total customers with power, as of 9 a.m. Consumers Energy reported 18,801 of its customers had their service interrupted, while 99% of its total customers had no issues.
The additional snowfall comes as the U.P. is already blanketed in snow. According to NWS reports, some areas north of Marquette have gotten 8 or more inches since Tuesday.
Snow, high winds in Lower Michigan
Elsewhere, the National Weather Service’s White Lake Township Office said a winter weather advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. for the Bay City-Midland-Saginaw area and the Thumb region. Officials warn that part of the state could see snow accumulations between 1 and 4 inches, as well as gusts as high as 50 miles per hour.
On Thursday, the weather service had the northern half of the Lower Peninsula under a winter weather advisory from 11 p.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Friday. It said the worst conditions were likely to occur Friday morning, when “bursts of heavy snow” could bring up to 2 inches of snow per hour, leading to potential whiteout conditions for drivers.
The weather service also said on Thursday that the greatest totals will likely be near the U.S. 10 corridor in central Michigan and areas near and north of Interstate 96. Some areas could get up to 6 inches of snow, accompanied by wind gusts up to 40 mph.
In southern Michigan, most areas are expected to get an inch or less of snow Thursday and Friday, but a high wind warning has been issued. The weather service said gusts could be as high as 60 mph, blowing down trees and power lines.
NWS officials said strong winds are expected across the southern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
On Friday, the agency said its high wind warning for parts of southeast Michigan remains in effect until 10 p.m. Friday. Southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected and could topple trees and down power lines, they said.
“Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,” the warning states.
Consumers Energy said it has approximately 450 crews strategically staged around the state in anticipation of service disruptions.
“Victory favors the prepared, and after the major weather events we faced last year, our teams are battle tested,” said Chris Fultz, Consumers Energy’s vice president of low voltage distribution, in a press release. “We know what to do, we know how to respond, and we’re taking every step necessary so we can restore power as quickly and safely as possible.”
Residents should stay in the lower level of their home and avoid windows during the expected storm, the NWS advises. They should also watch for falling debris and tree limbs.
More winter weather could blast Michigan early next week as well, NWS reported, with “a shot of very cold air and lake effect snow showers” coming on Sunday into Monday.
Consumers Energy recommended that customers charge all critical electronics, including medical devices, before the storms hit.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
@max_detroitnews
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: 15 inches of snow forecast for Upper Peninsula; high winds downstate
Reporting by Max Reinhart and Charles E. Ramirez, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
