Published: Dec. 18, 2023, 1:05 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 19, 2023, 6:28 a.m.

Lower Michigan residents should prepare for rapidly changing road conditions this afternoon as strong winds and lake-effect snow move through the area. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for gusty winds and plunging temperatures, which are expected to contribute to potentially treacherous travel in certain regions.

As of 2:41 p.m. Monday, the larger area of a snow burst had transitioned into a predominantly lake-effect snow event, with a consolidation of just a few main bands of snow. While the areal coverage of heavier snow is shrinking, the remaining bands of snow are expected to be heavy. Eastern Michigan roads appear to be drying up due to the wind, but travel conditions are likely to be hazardous in the southwest corner of Lower Michigan and a band of lake-effect snow stretching from Ludington and Muskegon to southwest of Kalamazoo.

The first half of this afternoon is expected to see a burst of strong wind gusts moving across Lower Michigan. Initial reports at noon indicated numerous instances of 50 mph gusts along the southern Lake Michigan shoreline. Although the gusts are expected to weaken slightly as they progress across the southern half of Lower Michigan, they are likely to remain strong at around 40 mph in areas including Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, and Bay City.

With falling temperatures accompanying the strong winds, road conditions are set to change quickly over just a couple of hours this afternoon. Lower Michigan can expect temperatures to drop a few degrees below freezing throughout the region. Ann Arbor residents should anticipate icy roads between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., while the Detroit area will experience below-freezing temperatures between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, and the Thumb will see temperatures plunge below freezing between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The combination of colder temperatures, strong winds, and snow showers will create hazardous conditions on the roads. The NWS advises residents to complete any outdoor tasks promptly to avoid being caught on the roads during a sudden switch to more icy conditions. Even if road conditions currently appear manageable, it is crucial to be prepared for a rapid change in conditions this afternoon.

Motorists are urged to exercise caution and stay informed about the latest weather updates and road conditions.