(WWJ) A wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain could make for treacherous travel conditions on the first day of 2021 in metro Detroit.
A Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect for all southeast Michigan at noon on New Year's Day, Friday, Jan. 1 — with total snow accumulations from 1 to 4 inches, and ice accumulations of a little more than 1 inch expected.
The advisory will remain in effect for Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Washtenaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer and St. Clair counties until 6 a.m. on Saturday. In Wayne, Lenawee and Monroe counties it is set to expire earlier, at midnight Friday.
Freezing rain, sleet and snow will spread across the region Friday afternoon, NWS said, and most of the ice accumulations will occur Friday afternoon into the evening. The precipitation will get a little less intense Friday evening before another round of snow, mixed with sleet and freezing moves in.
Most of the snow accumulation will occur overnight in harder-hit areas, while some areas may see a lot less, as rain mixes in.
With all this in mind, drivers in the metro Detroit area are warned that paved surfaces will be icy, including untreated roads. The hazardous conditions are expected to significantly impact afternoon and evening travel on Friday, and possibly into early Saturday.
Related
As always, drivers are urged to slow down and increase their following distance in wintry conditions.
Keep your radio tuned to 950 on the AM dial, or 97.1 HD 2 on FM to listen to WWJ for traffic and weather on the 8s, 24 hours a day. To listen to us anywhere, anytime, download the Radio.com app.