Michigan's Icy Holiday Surprise: What to Expect

Michigan is in for a wild holiday weekend. After a calm Christmas Day, things take a turn. Starting Thursday night, a mix of snow, freezing rain, and sleet will hit most of the state. This messy weather will stick around through Friday, making travel tricky. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of potential ice buildup, especially in the southwest and southeast. Up to a quarter-inch of ice could form by Saturday morning. That's enough to make roads slippery and cause power outages. The Thumb and Saginaw Valley areas might see 0. 5 to 2 inches of snow, with more the further north you go. Temperatures will be chilly but not too extreme. In the Lower Peninsula, highs will be in the 30s and 40s, with lows in the 20s and 30s. Up north, it'll be colder, with highs in the 20s and 30s and lows in the teens to 20s.Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids can expect a similar pattern. Christmas Day will be partly sunny and dry. But overnight, freezing rain and snow will move in. Friday will start with more freezing rain, then switch to regular rain by afternoon. Expect around a tenth of an inch of ice and less than half an inch of snow. Down in southwest Michigan, Coldwater, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph will see a mix too. Christmas Day will be dry, but overnight freezing rain will move in. Friday will bring rain or freezing rain, turning to all rain by afternoon. Temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s. Up north, Gaylord, Traverse City, and Alpena will see snow and freezing rain mix. Christmas Day will be cloudy with light snow. Overnight, snow will mix with freezing rain. Friday will bring more snow and freezing rain, with highs in the 20s and 30s. The Upper Peninsula will see more snow. Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, and Ironwood can expect snow on Christmas Day, with more overnight. Friday will bring more snow, with highs in the 20s and 30s. Expect around an inch of snow in some areas.