Wild weather Thursday-Friday
Wed, Feb 19, 2014 - By Mike Muha
Heading to the Birkie or up to the Boyne Grinder? You may be heading into a storm...
AccuWeather andNOAA report a mix of rain, ice and snow...and a huge blizzard...starting tonight:
Image from AccuWeather.com
According to the NOAA, quiet weather will be found across northern Michigan today as high pressure and dry air build into the region. Then, all eyes will be set on a nasty winter weather event for Thursday into Friday. A period of snow, freezing rain, and even just rain is likely to affect northern Michigan, with thunderstorms even possible. By Friday morning, all precipitation is expected to change to areas of snow, with very gusty winds bringing areas of blowing and drifting snow:
Remaining images from NOAA
Down in southeast Michigan, the intense low pressure system tracking through the Western Great Lakes Thursday Night will bring with it a variety of weather to Southeast Michigan. A period of freezing rain is expected on Thursday, lasting the longest farther north. Before this occurs, north of I-69, a quick inch or two of snow is expected as well. Enough warm air will spread in from south to north to change precipitation over to rain late in the day. Fog, locally dense, and thunderstorms will also be spreading into the area during the evening hours, as temperatures rise into the 40s. Snow melt, coupled with the rain and thunderstorms could produce flooding. After midnight, into Friday, Southwest winds are expected to gust in excess to 45 mph or greater, as colder air filters back into the region:
In Wisconson, a potent winter storm will bring widespread 6"-14" to much of the Northland Thursday through Thursday night, including Hayward and Cable. The heaviest snowfall totals will be across the Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin. The snow will begin Thursday morning and increase in intensity during the afternoon and evening. Strong northwest winds will develop late Thursday night, which could cause whiteout conditions in some areas. This storm will cause difficult travel conditions. Now is the time to begin making your travel plans. Light snow and strong winds will linger Friday, which could continue to make travel difficult:
Traveling through the UP? Quiet and mild conditions will be in place today. The main story is the strong winter storm that is expected to arrive over the region on Thursday. Heavy snow will affect much of Upper Michigan with some minor icing possible over the eastern U.P. In addition to the snow, strong winds will result in considerable blowing snow and poor visibility. Travel will be impacted from this system over much of the region:
Think going through Chicago is better? Not by much: A powerhouse storm system will affect the region late tonight through Thursday night bringing a wide variety of potentially hazardous weather! Locally heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms are possible late tonight into Thursday morning. Precipitation could start as heavy snow or sleet for a brief time, mainly north of I-88/290. A line of strong thunderstorms with high winds is possible Thursday afternoon, especially south and east of Chicago. Then everyone should see winds of 25-35 mph with gusts over 50 mph Thursday night:
Make sure your car is topped off with gas, you have food and lots of extra clothing!