Metro Detroit Ice Storm: Timeline, Breakdown For Each Region

METRO DETROIT — A powerful coast-to-coast winter storm is expected to bring freezing rain and heavy snow to Michigan on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

An ice storm warning is in effect for Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties from noon Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday.

A winter storm warning is in effect for Genesee, Lapeer and Sanilac counties from noon Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Wayne and Monroe counties from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Light snow flurries will begin falling across the entire metro Detroit region Wednesday morning around 10 a.m. as temperatures hover around 30 degrees, the weather service said.

The snow flurries will then transition into sleet, freezing rain and rain across most of the Metro Detroit region around 2 p.m. Wednesday with temperatures still hovering around 30 degrees, the weather service said.

At the same time, snowfall will get heavier in most areas north of the metro region, especially in the thumb area, while areas south of Interstate 94 will see heavier rain, the weather service said.

Freezing rain will primarily hit the areas between Interstate 94 and Michigan 59, where the weather service warned significant ice accumulation between a quarter and half an inch will gather along the Ann Arbor corridor into Port Huron.

Forecasters warned the heaviest periods of rain and freezing rain in the metro Detroit region will be during the afternoon commute between 4-8 p.m. Wednesday.

"Travel is strongly discouraged," the weather service said. "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency."

The wintry mix will begin moving out of the metro region and into the thumb region Wednesday evening around 8 p.m. with temperatures still hovering around 30 degrees, the weather service warned.

Most of the wintry mix will be gone from the metro Detroit region by 11 p.m. Wednesday night, the weather service warned. Forecasters said lingering bags of mixed precipitation could hover around the area until 2 p.m. Thursday morning.

As heavy rain and freezing rain hit the metro Detroit region, areas north of Michigan 59 will see mostly snow during the afternoon hours on Wednesday, the weather service warned.

Areas along the Interstate 69 corridor will see a combination of freezing rain, sleet and snow with snow and sleet accumulations between 2 and 4 inches through Wednesday night, the weather service warned.

North of Interstate 69 will see mainly snow with accumulations between 3 and 8 inches in areas area Midland, Bay and Huron counties, the weather service warned.