Arctic storm brings snow and freezing temperatures across Michigan

Travelers should be careful over the next 24 hours as arctic air and snow target Metro Detroit and other parts of Michigan.

National Weather Service officials issued winter weather warnings through 7 p.m. Thursday for Mason, Lake, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan counties on the western side of the state, where 5 to 9 inches of snow could fall. Wind gusts could also occur at speeds of around 35 miles per hour.

“Roads, and particularly bridges and overpasses, are likely to become slippery and dangerous,” the warning said. “Visibility and road conditions can change quickly over short distances in lake effect snow. Traveling could be very difficult.”

NWS also said snowfall due to lake effects could accumulate in southeast Michigan throughout Wednesday.