Rain, sleet, up to 8 inches snow seen for southern Michigan

Sleet, rain and up to eight inches of snow are expected across southern Michigan, leading to some college campus closings. It's part of a strong winter storm bearing down on the nation's midsection.

Scattered rain was falling Tuesday afternoon, with temperatures in the mid-30s in much of the state.

More: Snow, sleet, freezing rain hits Michigan, Metro Detroit

The National Weather Service says the snow could be wet and heavy. It's expected to fall Tuesday night and Wednesday, with accumulations of five to eight inches in the Thumb and two to five inches in the Detroit area.

Wayne State University in Detroit has cancelled evening classes Tuesday, and the University of Michigan-Flint also cancelled evening activities. Mott Community College in Flint went a step further and also called off Wednesday's classes and activities.

View: Communities under snow emergencies