(WWJ) – Three Metro Detroit counties have been added to a Winter Storm Watch as a "bomb cyclone" continues to take aim at the region.
While nearly the entire state had been under a Winter Storm Watch since Wednesday, a small sliver of Southeast Michigan remained without a watch or warning until Thursday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw Counties, in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 3 p.m. Saturday. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, only Macomb, Wayne, Monroe and Lenawee Counties were not under a watch, warning or advisory.
The NWS says heavy snow is possible in Oakland, Washtenaw and St. Clair Counties, with total accumulations of 4-7 inches possible and winds gusting in excess of 50 mph. Snowfall rates could peak near one inch per hour before changing over to rain by the evening, according to the NWS.
Authorities say to “plan on slippery road conditions” that could impact the Friday evening commute.
“Gusty winds may bring down snow covered tree branches, resulting in scattered power outages,” the NWS said, noting that blowing snow may reduce visibilities to below one mile at times.
Further north of the Metro Detroit region, the areas from Flint to Bad Axe are expected to see the heaviest amounts of snow, with 4-8 inches expected, according to the NWS.
While the region braces for the first major snow storm of the season, the NWS says “uncertainty exists regarding the northward progress of the rain/snow line Friday afternoon and evening, which greatly impacts total snow amounts.”
The NWS is, however, confident that Friday’s snow will changeover at some point to rain, but the timing of this remains “highly variable.”
High temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-upper 30s and “very strong winds are expected late Friday night into Saturday with gusts of in excess of 50 mph as arctic air filters in behind the system sending wind chill values close to zero,” meaning icy roads are expected as the weekend progresses.
Elsewhere in the state, Winter Storm Watches have been upgraded to Warnings in most counties, especially in Northern and West Michigan.
Forecasters are calling for as many as 8-14 inches of snow between Friday morning and 7 p.m. Saturday in portions of central, south central, southwest and west central Michigan.
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