Winter Storm Warnings: Midwest Braces for Heavy Snow

Major Winter Storm Threatens Midwest Holiday Travel

Multiple Midwestern states are under Winter Storm Warnings as a powerful system dumps heavy snow just ahead of the holiday travel weekend. Forecasters predict significant accumulations with dangerous travel conditions expected from Saturday through Sunday morning.

Snowfall Predictions by Region

In Wisconsin, south-central areas including Madison could see 8-12 inches of snow, with northern regions like the Dells expecting 6-8 inches. Meanwhile, Southeast Michigan anticipates 5-8 inches across most areas, with localized totals near Detroit and Pontiac potentially reaching 9 inches. The storm's intensity varies by location due to temperature differences:

Metro Detroit: Lower 30s temperatures may bring wetter, heavier snow
Suburban areas: Near-freezing conditions will produce typical Midwest snow
Thumb/Northern counties: Colder air means drier, powdier snow that accumulates quickly

Timeline of the Storm

Weather services have outlined a clear progression:

Saturday Afternoon: Light snow begins in western Michigan (1-4 PM), spreading eastward. Roads start turning slick, especially on bridges.
Saturday Evening (6 PM - Midnight): Peak intensity with snowfall rates up to 1 inch per hour. Road crews may struggle to keep pace as major highways deteriorate.
Overnight: Snow gradually lightens but continues through early Sunday morning, leaving slick conditions.
Sunday Morning: Tapers to flurries with untreated roads remaining hazardous.

Travel Impacts

The holiday weekend timing creates major concerns:

"Travel will become difficult later in the day on Saturday, especially as the evening approaches." – National Weather Service

Major airports like Detroit Metro may experience delays, while interstates I-75, I-94, and I-96 face slow travel. Lake-effect snow could further complicate roads north of the main system on Sunday.

Safety Preparedness

Authorities recommend these precautions:

Avoid unnecessary travel during peak hours (Saturday afternoon through overnight)
If driving: Maintain 6-8 seconds following distance, turn headlights on, and clear all vehicle snow
Carry emergency supplies: blankets, water, flashlight, phone charger
Monitor road conditions via 511 services

Extended Forecast

Following the storm, windy conditions will bring dangerous wind chills potentially reaching -5°F by Monday morning. Additional light snow is possible Wednesday with even colder temperatures expected by Thursday.