COLDWATER, MI (WTVB)- Michigan residents planning to travel for Thanksgiving face significant weather-related obstacles as not one but two winter systems bring heavy snow, strong winds, and potential whiteout conditions statewide, including in Branch County. Officials are warning that travel could be difficult to impossible at times from today through the holiday weekend.
Here is a breakdown of what’s expected through Thanksgiving Day.
A powerful combination of a clipper system and subsequent lake-effect snow bands means that no part of Michigan is expected to be entirely spared from the impacts.
- Upper Peninsula – The U.P. is expected to experience the most extreme conditions, with some areas under blizzard warnings and potential snowfall accumulations of 2 to 3 feet. The National Weather Service (NWS) is advising travelers to avoid the area from Tuesday night through Thanksgiving.
- Lower Peninsula – West Side: Winter storm warnings are in effect for several counties, including Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties as well as Lake Michigan shoreline, where lake-effect snow and wind gusts of up to 55 mph could lead to treacherous travel and low visibility.
- Lower Peninsula – East Side – While heavy snowfall totals may be more isolated compared to the west, strong winds gusting up to 45-55 mph are forecast across the rest of the Lower Peninsula, including Branch County. These winds can cause blowing and drifting snow, leading to sudden whiteout conditions on roads and possible power outages.
Road travel is expected to be particularly dangerous on Wednesday (the busiest travel day of the year) and into Thanksgiving Day due to snow and wind. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is deploying crews to keep state roads clear, but changing conditions and the heavy volume of traffic will pose challenges.
For air travelers, delays are likely at major hubs, including Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), due to high winds and weather systems across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Travelers should check their flight status frequently with their airline. A second storm system is expected to impact the state later in the weekend.
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