MI Winter Storm: 8-12 Inches Of Snow Possible

MICHIGAN — Forecasters are warning Friday's winter storm could dump more than 8 inches of snow in some parts of Michigan, according to the National Weather Service.

As of Thursday morning, all of Michigan was under a winter storm watch, except for the metro Detroit area (though that's expected to change) from 10 a.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday.

Forecasters expect the storm to dump at least 8 inches of fresh snow across northern Michigan, and up to a foot in some parts of the northeastern portion by Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Strong winds with gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour can create blizzard-like conditions across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Travel conditions through Friday evening were expected to worsen, "owing to whiteout conditions from significant blowing and drifting snow" in open areas, according to the National Weather Service.

West Michigan, mid-Michigan and the Thumb region are expected to see between 6 and 8 inches of snow, again with strong wind gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour by Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

In the metro Detroit area, forecasters said snow should start falling by Friday afternoon with rates as high as 1 inch per hour. Then by Friday evening, the snow will shift over to rain as warmer air from the south brushes the area, before shifting back to all snow throughout Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters expect the metro Detroit area to see between 3 and 6 inches of fresh snow by Saturday afternoon, but said rainfall can cut into those totals, noting the farther south you go toward the Ohio border, the less snow there will be, according to the National Weather Service.

Strong winds with gusts reaching up to 45 and 55 miles per hour will then move into the metro Detroit area Saturday afternoon as temperatures begin to plummet with the arrival of arctic air, according to the National Weather Service.

The region will see single digit temperatures with subzero wind chills Saturday night through early next week, according to the National Weather Service.