It’s begun.
The National Weather Service office in Gaylord says snow started moving into northern Michigan on Thursday afternoon and evening.
A blizzard warning is in effect for northern lower Michigan, the eastern and northern Upper Peninsula, and all of western Michigan.
Thursday night’s snowfall was expected to be a wet, packing snow.
Impacts from the long-duration winter storm, featuring a dense, wet snowfall across the area, commences this evening and tonight. The nature of this snowfall will make for slick, greasy roadways and hazardous travel. Use caution if doing any last-minute traveling tonight! #MIwx pic.twitter.com/MBhbi47CIc
— NWS Gaylord (@NWSGaylord) December 22, 2022
“Really good for snowballs, but not so much in the way of a blow-around snow,” said meteorologist Harold Dippman at the Gaylord office of the National Weather Service. “But we do expect winds to pick up later tonight and especially into tomorrow.”
Those winds — coupled with a change in the snow consistency to lighter and fluffier powder — means extremely reduced visibility around the region. Snow will be blowing sideways at the same time it’s falling from the sky.
Gusts could reach up to 50 or 55 miles per hour. White out conditions are almost guaranteed on Friday, Dippman told IPR News.
“If you can, you should stay put,” he said. “It’s going to be downright nasty out there.”
The National Weather Service says those who must travel should make sure they have supplies and provisions in their car. If you get stranded, call for help and stay with the vehicle.
Snow accumulation totals could be near 2 feet by the end of the weekend.
STORM IMPACTS
The weather has already caused numerous cancelations and closures around the region.
BATA, the Bay Area Transportation Authority based in Traverse City, has suspended the following services for Dec. 23 and 24:
- Bayline
- City Loops
- Village Loops
- Village Link
Link’s on-demand service will continue running from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 23, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 24, but officials urge patience and limiting your trips to only what's essential.
Benzie Bus is canceling all service for Friday, Dec. 23.
The Salvation Army Traverse City Christmas Meal, set for Dec. 23, has been postponed until Dec. 28.
Other cancelations are likely, including transportation, events, and air travel. Check with your airline before leaving the house.
Grand Traverse County Emergency Management officials say they are monitoring the situation, and working with partners to make warming shelters available in the event of an extended power outage.
