BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – Preparations continue as a massive Christmas weekend winter storm is expected to hit Branch County starting on Thursday night.
The storm carries the potential for blizzard like conditions, heavy snow and dangerous wind chills.
Branch County Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Miner told the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that discussions and planning have already taken place.
National Weather Service forecasters say a wintry mix on Thursday will transition to all snow by Thursday evening.
Snow will be moderate to heavy at times Thursday night into Friday before transitioning to lake effect snow through Saturday.
Meteorologists are telling people to not travel anywhere Friday and Friday night unless it’s an emergency.
Even though it’s Christmas weekend, the Indiana State Police is asking everyone to carefully consider the necessity for travel.
During a National Weather Service multi media briefing on Wednesday morning, it was mentioned that this was a dangerous storm.
Storm total snow amounts will be quite varied, exceeding well over one foot near Lake Michigan to a few inches in northwest Ohio.
West winds could gust as high as 55 mph, and will cause significant blowing and drifting snow.
Falling or blowing snow may result in white out conditions with zero visibility at times, making travel extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Strong winds may bring down tree branches and lead to power outages.
The cold wind chills as low as 30 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as a half hour.
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