Snowstorm Dumps More Than 19 Inches On Michigan
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ/AP) - A snowstorm hitting the Midwest dumped more than 19 inches of snow in northern Michigan and knocked out power to at least 142,000 state electricity customers.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for high winds and snow, in effect from 9 a.m. until midnight Friday, for the state.
The National Weather Service says the highest snowfall totals as of Friday afternoon were 19.6 inches near Gaylord in the northern Lower Peninsula and 18 inches in Chippewa County's Kinross Township in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
Totals since Thursday in northern Michigan generally ranged from 4-18 inches.
Dozens of northern Michigan schools closed because of weather, giving students an early start to the holiday break.
CMS Energy Corp.'s Consumers Energy unit says 123,000 customers lost power, and about 55,000 remained powerless Friday afternoon. DTE Energy Co. says 19,000 customers lost power Thursday, but all got it back.
Southern Michigan received rain and snow. A dusting of wet snow was on the ground Friday morning in the Detroit area
Northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected, with wind gusts to 45 mph Friday evening. Snow showers are also expected Friday in the metro Detroit area, although CBS 62 Chief Meteorologist Jim Madaus said accumulation, if there is any, would likely be under an inch.
The weather service says average snowfall totals could reach 13 inches in upper Michigan and 14 inches in northern lower Michigan before the storm exits the state on Friday.
Here's the local forecast from the CBS Detroit Weather Team:
Friday - Overcast with a chance of rain and snow showers with winds from the NW at 20 to 35 mph. High of 39F, low of 27F with a windchill as low as 16F.
Saturday - Partly cloudy with winds from the WNW at 20 to 30 mph. High of 34F, low of 27F with a windchill as low as 12F.
Sunday - Clear during the day, turning to mostly cloudy overnight with winds from the NW at 5 to 10 mph. High of 36F, low of 25F with a windchill as low as 19F.
Know before you go: Keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s.
Check the CBS Detroit weather page for the extended forecast and up-to-the-minute information.
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