Winter storm slides into Michigan

On February 13, 2025By Littum

Detroit “Snowfall continued to blanket much of Michigan on Wednesday night and was expected to bring stable accumulation to Thursday morning” at the lower end “of what was expected, meteorologists said.

Previously, schools canceled classes and preparations for what was invoiced as a major blizzard for Lower Michigan.

In the National Weather Service’s Detroit-Pontiac region, which includes large parts of the southeastern lower Michigan, including the thumb, the heaviest snow fell in the flint and saginaw areas on Wednesday night, the agency reported. A speed of a 1/2 inch per hour or more ongoing, with snow to continue until Thursday morning. Snowfall was expected there and in Macomb County between 4-8 inches.

Radar images showed the largest rainfall in the NWS ‘Grand Rapids region, which includes 23 counties in western central lower Michigan, fell in areas such as Battle Creek and Bellevue. Accumulations of 3-6 inches were expected on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, Northern Lower Michigan could see up to 8 inches.

The Weather Service’s Gaylord posts that predict weather for the northern part of the lower Michigan and the farthest eastern part of the top peninsula said that the largest snowfall plots were expected in the eastern part of the region, on Lake Huron, including Alpena and Oscoda.

On the top peninsula, the most accumulation in the northern central area was expected, including Munising and Grand Marais.

Initial NWS reports Late Wednesday showed:

6 inches in Prescott, Ogemaw County
5 inches in Gladwin, Gladwin County
4.8 inches near Scottville, Mason County
2.5 inches in Eaton Rapids, Eaton County
1.4 inches in Flint, Genesee County
1.1 inches in Howell, Livingston County

Steve Considine, a meteorologist at NWS Detroit, said late Wednesday that it seemed that totals would generally be at the lower end of what had been predicted.

“We had a small pocket with dry air in the late afternoon, early night, switching to drip” rather than snow, he said.

He said that the biggest accumulations were in the Flint area, specifically Grand Blanc, where 3.5 inches were reported from 1 p.m. 23.00

Considine expected snow to fall for another two or three hours, producing at least 2 centimeters more for all Metro Detroit.

NWS said ICE would probably also be a factor in many parts of the state. The temperatures around the state fell Wednesday night, with most of the state in the high teens or making 20s.

DT’s online interruption card showed that there were 1,128 power cuts, mostly in the flat rocket council, as at around 10 p.m. 22.00 Consumers, Energy reported six power cuts at that time.

Several communities opened warm -up and respite for the distressed and declared snow -emergency situations to help with plowing. Dozens of school districts from Bloomfield Hills to Canton Township Canceled Classes for Thursday.

The bad weather is expected to fall between 4 and 6 inches in the city and up to 8 inches in a part of the thumb region, including Macomb County, where a winter storm warning is in effect until 7 AM Thursday, As per National Weather Service. A winter weather counseling is also in force for the eastern part of the top peninsula and much of the lower peninsula, including Wayne, Oakland and other southeast Michigan -mates until 10 am. 7 Thursday, according to NWS.

In the storm of the storm, the Detroit Department of Public Works began pre-treatment of roads with salt early Wednesday afternoon, said Ron Brundidge, director of a DPW place on the east side of the city.

Detroit has about 19,000 tonnes of salt on hand, stored in large dome -shaped silos and can use between 2,000 and 4,000 tonnes during this storm, Brundidge said.

The city is also fully manned with regard to plow car drivers who will work 12-hour shifts. There may be up to 40 DPW trucks plowing throughout the city, although the exact number can fluctuate over the next 24 hours, Brundidge said.

“They know this will be a big snow, so we will plow,” said Doug Collins, superintendent of solid waste at DPW. “When we plow, we plow Unisont, a truck behind another truck until they can make it from the middle of the road … to curbs.”

When the snow stops Thursday morning, DPW will assess whether they need to get additional plowing contractors, Brundidge said.

“We want to look at the housing streets and decide how much snow there is, how difficult it is for people to be able to drive through them,” said Brundidge. “We use six inches as a guideline, but what we really do is looking at it from the perspective, it is difficult for our residents to be able to cross through the street, and even though we do not hit the six inch threshold, it does not mean Automatic that we will not bring in the contractors. “

The city awarded seven contracts, one for each city council district, to five different companies, Brundidge said.

“They have already been put on notice. They just wait for the last call and say it’s time to get out, ”said Brundidge.

The city does not require residents to move vehicles out of side streets to allow for plowing, but encourages it vigorously if possible, Brundidge said. Clearing of sidewalks is responsible for property owners, he added.

At. At 18.21 there had been 19 “preventable traffic accidents” over Michigan State Police’s second district, which includes Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties.

“We expect more overnight as these risky driving behavior becomes more exposed in winter weather,” The district released on x. “This means that more troops will be police accidents along roads. Make sure you give them a lane and brakes near emergency vehicles and snow plows.”

By Wednesday afternoon, officials in other cities, including Center Line, Sterling Heights, Auburn Hills, Rochester and Warren, had declared snow -emergency situations. Dearborn set a snow -emergency situation, which begins at 1 p.m. 18, which means vehicles to be removed from the city streets.

“Our crews are fully prepared and ready to handle the snow,” Warren Mayor Lori Stone said in a statement. “Conditions will continue to be monitored. DPW is prepared to respond as needed over the weekend until the weather is fully agreed. The water department has also been warned and is in the standby of tackling any weather -related problems. “

Even after this blizzard passes, experts say someone else is close to the back.

NWS predicts another round with widespread, accumulated snow between 7 p.m. 7 Friday and 7 am Saturday.

The total will be greater in the western and central part of the lower Michigan with a 50% chance of 4 or more centimeters in places like Ludington and Muskegon. Areas like Lansing and Kalamazoo have a 38% chance to see so much snow and a better than 80% chance of getting at least 2 inches.

Metro Detroit is also expected to have further accumulation with a 68% chance of receiving at least 2 inches, according to a prognosis released by NWS on Wednesday night.

Heating centers available

With freezing temperatures expected too much of the extended forecast, the city of Detroit residents on Wednesday reminded of available heating centers and respite that provides shelter.

Places for accommodation are activated on the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, 13130 Woodward Ave., from 7 p.m. 11 Wednesday to 7 p.m. 11 Tuesday, February 18 and in the Pope Francis Center, 2915 W. Hancock, from 7 p.m. 18 Sunday until 7 p.m. 11 Tuesday Tuesday, February 18. Residents can access these locations at any time by simply entering.

People can also warm up by visiting any city’s recreation center or Detroit Public Library Branch during ordinary operating hours, although the city noticed that libraries will be closed Monday for Presidents’ Day. Visit for the library’s branches in operating times for the library’s branches Detroitpubliclibrary.org.

The city currently has more than 1,400 shelter, including them at heating centers brought online in November, run by local partners.

Detroit uses a coordinated input process to provide access to shelters and heating centers. Individuals, families and young people seeking locations can access the coordinated assessment model (CAM) by calling Housing Resource Services Helpline at 866-313-2520.

Detroit’s warm -up centers supply 100 emergency shyllies to the undeveloped in the cold months of wind as well as two meals, showers, sleeping homes and housing assistant services.

Heating centers include Cass Community Social Services (which serve families and women), Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (which serve families and women) and Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (which serve single men).

In Genesee County, Sheriff Chris Swanson opens the doors to the lobby at the prison in Flint overnight for the next five weeks.

“Between the late hours to the early morning we can accommodate up to fifteen people here, so they have a place to come and be safe,” Swanson said in a statement. “We have established ourselves in this community to do more than prison and patrol, and this is one of these services you have to take care of people.”

Farmington Hills opens two warm -up centers for members of the community on Thursday in anticipation of cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, according to a news message from the city on Wednesday.

One is located on the Farmington Hill’s four Department’s headquarters of 31455 W. Eleven Mile Road and will be open daily from 7 p.m. 17 to 7 from Thursday and ends Friday, February 21st.

The second is located in the Costick Activity Center at 28600 W. Eleven Mile Road and will be open daily from 1 p.m. 7 to 21 from Friday and ends Thursday, February 20th. The heating centers and operating days can be expanded if necessary says the news message.