A winter storm is hitting Metro Detroit Saturday night, bringing heavy snow, slick roads and slow holiday travel.
Bands of snow are moving across Southeast Michigan with rates that can reach one-half inch to nearly one inch per hour at times.
A Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday, with most areas on track for 4 to 8 inches of accumulation by the time the storm winds down.
Some communities near Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie could see 2 to 4 inches.
Winter Storm Warning (generally 5-8 inches): Livingston, Washtenaw and Lenawee counties
Winter Weather Advisory (generally 4-7 inches): Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, and Genesee counties.
A 4Warn Weather Alert is also in effect for all of Southeast Michigan for Saturday and Sunday.
The heaviest snow is expected through late Saturday night, when visibility will drop quickly during the more intense bursts.
Temperatures will hold near the upper-20s to lower-30s, cold enough for snow to stick on all untreated surfaces.
Roads will become snow-covered and rutted, especially on secondary streets and neighborhood roads, and gusty winds will push the snow around and further reduce visibility at times.
Snow will continue into early Sunday, then gradually taper from west to east through the late morning hours.
A few additional light coatings are possible before the storm exits. Sunday will stay cold and blustery, with highs in the mid-30s early in the day before slowly falling.
Wind gusts will reach 25 to 30 mph out of the west and northwest.
Even after the snow ends, many roads will remain slushy and slick, and refreezing will become an issue Sunday night as temperatures fall into the teens and lower-20s.
The active pattern does not end with this storm. A weaker system is forecast to move through Monday night into Tuesday, bringing another chance for light snow across Lower Michigan.
Metro Detroit and areas south have the best chance to pick up an additional 1 to 2 inches, which could be enough to create fresh slick spots and delays for the Tuesday morning commute. Outside of that system, light snow or flurries are possible again later Wednesday with another cold front.
Temperatures will run below normal through next week. Highs Monday and Tuesday will be in the mid-20s to around 30 degrees, with morning lows in the teens.
Wind chills will often be in the single digits and teens, especially early in the morning.
The cold pattern continues into the middle and end of the week, with daytime readings mainly in the mid-20s to lower-30s and nighttime lows in the teens across much of Southeast Michigan.
Holiday travel will remain impacted across the region through Sunday and into early next week.
Drivers should plan on slower than normal travel times, changing conditions and lingering icy patches. The safest approach is to slow down, leave extra room between vehicles, and give plow and salt trucks plenty of space to work.
Clear snow and ice from all windows, headlights and taillights before leaving, and keep an emergency kit, phone charger and warm clothing in the vehicle in case of delays or becoming stranded.
Anyone shoveling snow should use caution in the cold. Health experts recommend pushing snow rather than lifting when possible, taking frequent breaks, and stopping immediately if you feel dizzy, short of breath or experience chest discomfort.
Dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and be especially careful on steps, sidewalks and driveways that can quickly turn icy under fresh snow.
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