Sleet, snow, freezing rain: Monday’s travel could be slick

Much of the Lower Peninsula is under a Winter Weather Advisory as a Clipper system is set to bring a wintry mix of precipitation across Michigan on Monday. Some of it could fall as heavy snow in Northern Michigan and the U.P., and a moderate amount of snow in Mid-Michigan. West Michigan and the southern tier of the state could see precipitation fall as freezing rain, sleet or a mix of rain/snow.

Timing for this system is roughly 7 a.m. Monday to 10 p.m. Light icing on the roads is possible near and south of I-96 on Monday morning and into the early afternoon, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Grand Rapids.

This could lead to slick roads and hazardous travel in some areas.

“A system will bring light snow, generally 1-4 inches, across Central Lower Michigan Monday into Monday evening,” NWS meteorologists said. “Near and south of I-96 a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is possible. Travel impacts are possible due to slick roads.”

Here are the forecast highlights from NWS ahead of Monday’s system:

• Mainly snow north of I-96: 1-4″ expected east of U.S. 131, trace of snow to 2″ west of U.S. 131
• Wintry mix of snow, sleet and light freezing rain for the I-96 corridor. Less than 1 inch of snow and sleet with light glaze of ice likely
• Mainly light freezing rain south of I-96 through early afternoon before changing to rain/snow mix, light glaze of ice is likely
• Light dusting of snow before daybreak (under 0.5″) for Isabella, Clare, Mecosta, and Osceola counties
• Widespread precipitation arrives after 7 a.m. Monday and continues through the evening
• Slick roads/sidewalks likely leading to periods of hazardous travel
• Small shifts in temperature would shift exact position of ice vs wintry mix vs snow lines

Southeast Michigan

Precipitation begins in the late morning and the early afternoon. It will be mainly snow north of I-69, according to the NWS team in Detroit.

“Snow is expected tomorrow with accumulations of 2 to 5 inches currently forecast north of Metro Detroit. This may lead to hazardous travel conditions for the Monday afternoon/evening commute.”

Northern Michigan

“Several inches of wet, slippery snow are expected to accumulate over parts of the area through the next 24-36 hours as a clipper system moves through,” NWS meteorologists in Gaylord said. “Light snow will begin to blossom into more widespread snow late tonight, resulting in potentially unpleasant travel conditions for the Monday morning commute. Snow will slowly move through the region during the day, eventually exiting northeast Lower Michigan Monday night.”

Upper Peninsula

The eastern end of the U.P. is expected to get the most snow with this Clipper system. The wet snowfall is forecast to start tonight and continue into Monday.

“The highest snowfall accumulations in the U.P. are expected from Manistique eastward through the Mackinac Bridge with 2″ to 5″ inches of wet snow possible,“ the NWS Marquette team said. ”Slippery road conditions are expected. Allow for some extra commuting time Monday morning; especially along the M-28 and US-2 runs.“

“If traveling to or from the Lower Peninsula, plan for additional travel time as there is greater chance for 4″ to 6″ inches of wet snowfall across much of the northern L.P. The west half the U.P. will likely only receive a dusting to an inch of snowfall through Monday under mostly cloudy skies.”