METRO DETROIT (WWJ) - It may have felt like spring for the last few weeks, but winter is in full effect as yet another major winter storm threatens to blanket Metro Detroit in as much as eight inches of snow on Friday.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service ahead of the storm for all of Southeast Michigan beginning at 10 p.m. Thursday, March 9, through 2 p.m. on Friday, March 10.
Significant disruptions to travel could impact counties under the advisory, including Midland, Bay, Saginaw, Tuscola, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee and Monroe.
AccuWeather Meterologist Dean DeVore told WWJ that the storm will begin to move in to the Metro Detroit area later Thursday evening -- and conditions will deteriorate overnight.
"Tomorrow is definitely not going to be a good day," Devore warned. "I think the best chance for the eight [inches] now looks to be from the city to Downriver and right around the four inches through the rest of the area, 4 to 6 or so."
The NWS warned residents that the heaviest snowfall is expected to snarl the morning commute on Friday with rates of a half inch to an inch per hour, leading to reduced visibility and snow covered roads.
Snowfall will then taper off in the early afternoon hours on Friday, experts added.
Because the bulk of the snow is expected to happen overnight, AccuWeather's Brian Thompson says that could make for slick travel come morning.
"I think roads will likely become slippery in many areas as the night goes on," Thompson said, noting the low temperature will get down to around the freezing mark. "I would anticipate a rough morning commute."
Drivers are urged to slow down and use caution while traveling -- a sentiment that was echoed by Michigan State Police on Thursday morning.
Last Friday, heavy wet snow fell across the Metro area and rapidly accumulated on roadways, homes and more. Troopers said their dispatchers fielded almost 1,800 calls in a 24-hour period during the storm, with 689 calls for service.
'That's an average of 74 calls an hour," MSP added. "Just think if drivers just slowed down in bad weather.
DeVore said the rest of the weekend will dry out with a chance of light snow late Sunday evening. Temperatures are expected to hover in the mid-thirties which will feel colder after a string of highs in the 40s and even 50s in recent weeks.
As the cold lingers into the start of the workweek, Metro Detroiters could also see flurries on Monday and Tuesday.