Southeastern Michigan awaiting area's 1st big snow

Winter Storm Watch goes into effect Wednesday

Northern Michigan has had its first big snowstorm of the season, and the South is awaiting its introduction to winter this week.

Most Michiganians awoke to a white Christmas after a moderate snowfall on Christmas Eve made travel risky and caused dozens of spinout accidents around the state.

The Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula got up to 20 inches of snow in a storm that hit last Thursday, and the weather service says a storm expected to push across southeastern Michigan will bring four to seven inches on Wednesday and Thursday.

Light snow was falling Tuesday afternoon in scattered parts of northern Michigan, with statewide temperatures ranging from nine at Ironwood to 34 at Troy and Ypsilanti.

Complete weather forecast: JustWeather.com

Live radar: Snowfall in Michigan

Travel conditions: Temps, airport delays

Winter Storm watch goes into effect Wednesday

The watch will be in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning for Wayne, Macomb, St. Clair, Monroe, and Lenawee Counties.

Snow will develop Wednesday afternoon and become heavy at times, especially for the southern and eastern parts of our area.  Snow amounts in the watch area will probably average around 6 inches, with lesser amounts (probably in the 2 to 4 inch range) the further West you go. 

It's also going to become windy, with 15 to 25 mph wind blowing the snow around. 

If you have travel plans on Wednesday, flights should have no problem getting in and out Wednesday morning, but delays could potentially develop by late afternoon and evening.  Travel by car will become quite hazardous as the snow intensifies Wednesday afternoon and evening, so use caution (and possibly reassess your timing – either leave earlier in the day or delay until Thursday) if you plan on hitting the roads.

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