Winter storm could dump 4-10 inches of snow Friday

Make sure the snow thrower is gassed up, as you’ll be needing it.

An incoming snowstorm is expected to drop five to nine inches of snow, or even more, in Metro Detroit.

A winter storm advisory goes into effect at 3 a.m. Friday until midnight for Oakland and Macomb counties.

A winter storm warning is in effect from 3 a.m. until midnight Friday for Wayne, Washtenaw, Lenawee and Monroe counties, and it estimates that up to nine inches of snow could fall by the end of the snow event.

Other estimates are even higher, with some localized snowfall possibly reaching 10 inches of snow.

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS: For many it’s a snow day, so share photos of the fun, clean up and natural beauty by emailing yourpics@oakpress.com.

School closures

By 5 p.m. Thursday evening, more than 200 schools had announced closures, including Detroit Public Schools and districts and individual schools across the tri-county area.

In Oakland county, Avondale, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Farmington, Madison Heights, Waterford, and West Bloomfield had opted to close Friday.

In Macomb County, Chippewa Valley, Clintondale, Fraser, Lake Shore, Roseville, Utica, Van Dyke, Warren Consolidated, and Warren Woods districts said they would close Friday.

Early Downriver closures included Allen Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Huron, Lincoln Park, Riverview, Southgate, Trenton, Westwood, Woodhaven-Brownstown, and Wyandotte schools.

Already early on Thursday afternoon, before 4 p.m., some schools were announcing closures. While most of the early cancellations were private or charter schools, the West Bloomfield School District in central Oakland County and Wayne-Westland Community Schools in Wayne called Friday off before 4 p.m. Thursday.

“Due to inclement weather, the West Bloomfield School District will be closed on Friday, Feb. 9,” the district announced on its website. “All after school student activities will be canceled on Friday as well.”

Snow emergencies were announced as well, including Auburn Hills and Warren. Typically, a snow emergency means that people cannot park on city streets to allow plowing. Auburn Hills also announced the vehicles left abandoned on I-75 or M-59 will be towed.

Other communities with snow emergencies declared included Southgate, Wyandotte, Clawson, and Bloomfield Township, with different times to start.

Stay safe

The Rochester Police Department offered tips on help you stay safe and they focus on being prepared.

Suggestions from Rochester police, on their Facebook page via www.ready.gov, include:

• Gassing up your vehicle ahead of time or before starting your commute

• Go grocery shopping before the heavy snowfall

• Check batteries on your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors

• Set up a communication plan with your family

• Keep a close eye on pets and elderly

• Set up and use a snow removal plan, and if shoveling, do not overexert yourself by shoveling in shifts.

• Only travel if necessary and bundle up when you go out.

AAA Michigan asked that people make sure to:

• Clear snow and ice from car before driving

• Drive at speeds that are safe, even if below the speed limit

• Do not use cruise control

• Remember four-wheel drive helps you get going quicker but doesn’t help you slow down any faster

• Be familiar with your brake system

• Stay back and give room to maintenance vehicles

• Watch for icy conditions on bridges and intersections even if other roadways are OK

• If you get stuck, keep your wheel straight and accelerate slowly

The Michigan State Police advise that people should:

• Watch for signs of frostbite (loss of feeling or pale appearance of skin) or hypothermia (uncontrollable shivering, memory loss or drowsiness).

• Remove clothing if it gets cold

• Check heating units.

• Watch pets closely and keep indoors when possible.

What this storm will bring

“Plan on difficult driving conditions, including during the morning commute Friday,” the watch from National Weather Service reads. “Significant reductions in visibility are possible.”

According to Accuweather.com, the expected snowfall amounts vary:

• Rochester Hills, Warren, Troy and Mount Clemens could see 4-8 inches.

• Royal Oak could see 6-10 inches.

• Armada and Holly could see 3-6 inches.

• Southgate and the rest of the Downriver area could see 6-10 inches.

The further north from Detroit you are, the less snow you’ll see. In Lapeer, they could get only 2-4 inches of snow.

“There remains some uncertainty as to where the axis of heaviest snow will occur (in other words, the I-94 corridor south or farther north),” the National Weather Service wrote in a Thursday morning Facebook post.

While the high temperature today, Thursday, Feb. 8, will only reach into the lower 20s, Friday will be a little warmer, with a high in the upper 20s or even 30 degrees. (Continued below.)

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More snowfall is expected on both Saturday and Sunday, according to Accuweather.

On Saturday, snow showers could drop another inch during the day and then another 1-2 inches Saturday night.

On Sunday, snow flurries are expected, as the high will stay in the upper 20s.

On Monday, sunshine returns.