**UPDATE 3 p.m. Monday — Forecasters now calling for even more snow: 12-18 inches of snow, plus ice expected with major winter storm set to strike Metro Detroit **
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(WWJ) Metro Detroit is expected to be hit with more than a half-foot of snow later this week.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday and ending on Thursday at 11 p.m.
"There's going to be a battle zone between cold and warm air and it's going to set up right over us," said AccuWeather meteorologist Dean DeVore. "It's going to create a two-day storm -- after some initial rain -- and it could add up to almost 8 to 12 inches by Wednesday into Thursday."
DeVore said the storm will start Tuesday night with rain that will then switch over to snow early Wednesday morning, with snowfall on-and-off throughout the day into Wednesday night and Thursday.
"You need to get ready now for this major impact," said DeVore.
Total snow accumulation could possibly be 8 to 14 inches.
On Thursday, gusty winds from the north will contribute to some blowing of snow.
Travel could be very difficult at times, with the hazardous conditions potentially impacting the morning or evening commute both on Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday will be dry, but DeVore said it will be extremely cold, with temperatures staying in the upper teens.
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