DETROIT – It will likely be a tough drive to and from work Monday on snow-covered roads.
The Michigan Department of Transportation is preparing for what is expected to be the biggest snowstorm of the season so far. They're calling it a one-two punch: first snow, then ice.
At least 16 communities have declared snow emergencies tonight, with most coming from Oakland and Wayne counties. That means drivers should avoid parking on city streets to make room for plow trucks.
MDOT will start salting the freeways overnight and preparing for a treacherous commute Monday morning.
Four to six inches of snow are expected to blanket metro Detroit on Monday, followed by bitterly cold weather.
"It's going to be a bad storm. you have snow falling during rush hour, then the temperatures drop subzero and all the roads will refreeze. Tuesday could be worse," said Diane Cross from MDOT.
With dangerously cold weather on the way, Detroit officials were getting the word out to people at risk.
Detroit rec centers and libraries are options for people to stay warm during the day. Some churches and non profits have beds, as well.
"We have to make sure that we're not leaving any homeless people behind and those in abandoned houses we ask the neighbors/give police a call so we can get them services," said Terra DeFoe from the mayor's office.
Frozen snow and ice make potholes less of a problem, so MDOT crews will be reassigned to plows and salt trucks.
Some drivers aren't too concerned.
"It's a few inches, it's not like 3 feet or anything," said one man.
Later this week, with temperatures plunging below zero and wind chills making it feel dangerously cold, frostbite may set in after as little as 10-15 minutes outside.
"I worry for the elderly and people who don't have proper housing," said the woman from Alpena.
The Detroit Metro Airport closed last week due to cold temps, so check with your airline if you fly out this week.