Snowfall blanketed southeastern Michigan on Tuesday, resulting in school closures and a challenging Wednesday morning commute. The National Weather Service indicated that areas in Metro Detroit experienced significant snowfall, measuring about an inch in White Lake Township and Detroit Metro Airport by early Tuesday afternoon.
By Wednesday morning, Wixom recorded 5.4 inches of snow over a 10-hour period, while Shelby Township reported 4.5 inches and Farmington Hills saw 3.8 inches. In response to the deteriorating conditions, several public school districts in Metro Detroit opted to close their doors for the day.
The Michigan Department of Transportation reported numerous accidents on major highways, including Interstates 696, 75, 96, and 275. Road crews in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties had been actively deployed to manage the snowfall. The Macomb County Department of Roads stated that crews would be out working through the duration of the storm and reminded drivers to exercise caution.
Officials from the Wayne County Department of Public Services also urged residents to drive safely, as they worked to treat the roads with salt. By Wednesday morning, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning was cautioning motorists to buckle up and drive according to conditions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safe distances between vehicles.
In light of the weather, several communities declared snow emergencies. Auburn Hills imposed a snow emergency from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday, prohibiting parking on city streets during this period. Other cities such as Birmingham, Pontiac, and Troy also announced similar measures, with various end times for the parking bans.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for areas north of Interstate 69, warning that snowfall totals could reach between 3 to 6 inches. Meanwhile, areas south of I-69 were expected to receive anywhere from a dusting up to 4 inches of snow. Forecasts predicted that while rain or mixed precipitation would initially affect regions along and south of M-59, conditions would revert to all snow by the afternoon.
The snowfall is anticipated to taper off later in the day, making way for a drop in temperatures that could plunge into the teens by Thursday morning. The forecast for Detroit indicated a high of 36 degrees on Wednesday, with an overnight low dropping to 18 degrees. The National Weather Service also hinted at a continued influx of arctic air into the region, raising concerns about potential sub-zero wind chills and additional light snowfall in the coming days.
As the week progresses, the forecast suggests temperatures remaining low, with highs around the mid-20s and lows dipping into the single digits as the region braces for a typical Michigan winter with fluctuating conditions.
