DETROIT (WWJ) — Metro Detroit is bracing for some winter weather that could make for sick and treacherous road conditions Wednesday night, into the Thursday morning commute.
The National Weather Service says a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is coming to the area, with ice accumulations of up to a quarter inch possible. Untreated roads and sidewalks will become slick and hazardous, the NWS said in a post on X — so plan to take it slow when driving to school or work in the morning.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted from from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 9 p.m. Thursday for Wayne, Washtenaw, Lenawee and Monroe counties, and from 12 a.m. until 9 a.m. Thursday for Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer and St. Clair Counties.
Light snow is expected to begin Wednesday evening before transitioning to sleet and freezing rain after midnight, according to the NWS. The service says up to a tenth of an inch of ice accumulation is possible in the areas surrounding Detroit, with some locally higher totals near the Ohio border.
"Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury," the weather service said.
The NWS says models have been trending colder and drier, which has slightly reduced the forecast ice accumulations compared to initial forecasts.
The NWS noted that mixed precipitation events “are very sensitive to changes in temperature” and the forecast will likely be revised “in either direction” ahead of the wintry mix’s arrival to the area.
As for snow, the NWS says there will likely be only about .2 inches of accumulation across most of Southeast Michigan.
Precipitation is expected to taper off during the morning commute.
Because of the weather, some schools and government buildings are closing Thursday morning. Oakland University has canceled all classes until noon. All Grosse Pointe Woods city buildings and parks will also be closed until noon.
In Oakland County, road crews have already been putting down liquid brine in an effort to curb ice formation.
Road Commission for Oakland County spokesperson Craig Bryson said the forecast will dictate where the crews concentrate their efforts.
"We do anticipate it will hit more towards the south end of the county," Bryson told WWJ Newsradio 950. "Although we also know sometimes those forecasts change as things move in closer, so, you know, we're ready should it hit the entire county."
"But the initial assumption is that it'll hit more in the southern tier of the county. We'll focus more of our energies there initially, but we'll be ready to go county-wide when needed."
Things are expected to warm up briefly following the wintry mix, with Thursday’s high forecast to be 40 degrees, though temperatures fall back to around 30 degrees on Friday and through the weekend, according to AccuWeather.
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