GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) -- All of Michigan is under a Winter Storm Watch for Thursday night into Saturday.
But some parts of the state will be hit harder than others.
A Blizzard Warning has been issued for parts of southwest and west central Michigan, in effect from 4 p.m. Thursday until 7 p.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service says blizzard conditions are expected, with snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches.
On Friday, NWS says travel will be "difficult to impossible" in these areas.
"There's certainly a strong possibility that total accumulations will exceed a foot in western and northern parts of Michigan," said NWS Meteorologist Brian Meade. "Maybe not so much in the eastern part of the state, but due to the lake-effect, we definitely think we will see locations exceeding a foot."
While forecasts vary, some meteroisltists say the Grand Rapids area could get 17 inches, on top of record snow that's already there.
As for who will get hit the hardest, some forecasters are calling for two feet of snow in the southwest part of the state.
...Really? Two feet?
"That's a possibility; that's kind of a high-end forecast," Meade told WWJ's Beth Fisher. "It's going to be difficult measuring the snow because of the strong winds. Certainly we'll have drifts that are (two feet)... maybe bigger than that."
Meade said winds could be 50 miles per hour, with even stronger gusts.
For those hitting the road, Meade said it's going to be dicey.
"The combination of the falling snow and the blowing snow, you'll have very limited visibility," he said. "Drifts across the road and the temperatures will be a significant issue as well, because with arctic air pouring in it will drive the temperature down into the teens, if not single digits. The wind chills will be below zero."
Along with the frigid temps, snow and hazardous driving, the National Weather Service says there's concern that damaging winds could cause power outages — which could be dangerous as cold as it's gong to get.
The Michigan State Police is warning that travel is expected to be dangerous statewide Thursday through Saturday.
With that in mind, residents are urged to be flexible with their travel plans, depending on conditions, and to have a supply of essential items ready in advance to use during emergencies such as a power outage or being stranded in a vehicle. Get more details and tips from MSP at this link.
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