Did you awake Wednesday to the sound of snow blowers and shovels scraping snow off the concrete? Or had been you the early risers doing the waking to get a soar begin on what climate forecasters have predicted is bound to be an extended, difficult day for snow plows?
With 6-8 inches of snow forecast, this is information from the remainder of the day:
Icy interstate results in gasoline tanker crash
A tractor trailer heading east on Interstate 94 and carrying gasoline crashed at about 11:15 am, forcing authorities to shut a part of the freeway. Michigan State Police mentioned the truck was driving a lot too quick for the inclement climate situations.
The tanker driver was unhurt and declined medical therapy, police mentioned.
However the trailer smashed right into a wall close to Mt. Elliott, which despatched particles onto the westbound lanes of I-94. The crash triggered a secondary collision and a gasoline leak, police mentioned. Westbound I-94 was closed to Van Dyke to wash up the gasoline and particles.
Delta requests floor cease at DTW
Detroit Metro Airport’s runways had been working, airport spokeswoman Erica Donerson mentioned simply earlier than midday. Nonetheless, she confirmed, Delta Air Strains requested a floor cease — remaining on the bottom at their origination airport — for flights sure for Detroit till about 12:45 pm
The airport, she mentioned, didn’t have info on why, however the cease was lifted by 12:25 pm
College students sing ‘Snowhemian Rhapsody’
Royal Oak Faculties used a intelligent YouTube music video to assist announce it is snow day.
Titled “Snowhemian Rhapsody,” the 4-minute video begins with Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick telling college students that because of the dangerous climate, there might be no lessons. “Get pleasure from your day without work,” she says, after which, segues right into a parody of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by British rock band Queen.
“Is that this the true life? Is that this simply fantasy? Caught in a snowstorm, no escape from actuality,” college students sing.
The district mentioned {that a} Royal Oak senior, Toby Buckhiem, got here up with the thought for a snow day video within the fall. He deliberate it, and acquired college students and academics concerned. He additionally produced the video with the district’s videographer Jaret Grisamer.
The video was accomplished in November, and the district held onto it, so to talk, for a snowy day.
Heavy snow on faucet, faculties shut
A winter storm is expected to hit southeast Michigan on Wednesday, just as January enters its final week.
Heavy snow with total accumulations of 6-8 inches was predicted in storm warning areas — which included 10 counties on the state’s eastern edge, and 3-6 in advisory areas in counties west of that. The bulk of the storm’s snowfall is forecast between 7 am and 10 pm., with the heaviest of it between 10 am and 4 pm A winter storm is expected to hit southeast Michigan on Wednesday, just as January enters its final week.
The warning and advisories, which began at 7 am, included most counties in the eastern half of the state.
By 7 am, 575 area schools reported they were closed or significantly delayed, according to WZYX-TV’s tracker.
If you must venture out, the National Weather Service said, plan ahead and be extra careful.
“We have a winter storm warning that is in effect until 8 pm this evening,” weather service meteorologist Cory Behnke told the Free Press, listing all three metro Detroit counties — Wayne, Oakland and Macomb — that were included. “We’ve also expanded the warning into the Thumb.”
Airline impact
The wintry blast, dubbed Kassandra, will affect more than Michigan and could have an impact on air travel as it moves through portions of the Midwest toward the Northeast. Southwest Airlines issued a warning that its flights in Detroit and other Midwest cities could be delayed, diverted, and cancelled.
Light snow is expected to spread north into the Interstate 69 corridor by about 7 am, resulting in just enough snow for hazardous driving conditions during the morning commute, with a steady increase and intensity of snowfall between 5 pm and 10 pm
Be ready if you get stuck
Travel conditions, forecasters said, are predicted to deteriorate most during the afternoon into the evening.
If you must travel, the weather service said, be prepared by packing a flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Obviously, a snow brush, ice scraper and small shovel in case you need to dig yourself out of a snow bank would be good to have, too.
Stay prepared:8 things to do ahead of a Michigan winter storm
If you go out:Here are some winter weather driving tips
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