WINTER STORM WARNINGS and WINTER WEATHER ADVISORS remain in effect for much of Northern Michigan through Thursday evening. Lake snow will accumulate in the snow belts by Thursday evening. Warmer weather returns from this weekend, with some rain or at least showers forecast again from Saturday night into Sunday.

THURSDAY (DECEMBER 12): Today is a weather advisory day due to slick road conditions resulting in numerous school closures this morning. This will be by far the coldest day of the week, with maximum temperatures between 13 and 23 degrees. If you factor in the wind chill, it will be freezing… the wind chill will be in the single digits and even below zero. Lake effect snow continues in the snow belts (heavy at times), with gusty winds and areas of blowing snow and poor visibility. We generally forecast 4 to 12 inches of snow Wednesday through Thursday evening for those in counties under a WINTER STORM WARNING, with locally higher amounts possible. Elsewhere, 1 to 4 inches of snow is likely. Visibility will also be an issue due to gusty winds, blowing snow and drifts. NW wind 15 to 25 with gusts up to 30 mph.

FRIDAY (DECEMBER 13): The lake effect snowfall is quickly ending, with some sunshine in places on Friday. The exception may be along/north of the M-28 highway in eastern UP where snow may linger longer, including the Soo region, but elsewhere the snow is easing and snow is beginning to taper off. Highs will be in the low/mid 20s. WNW wind 5-15 mph.

SATURDAY: A break in the weather to start the weekend. In fact, some sunshine is expected in the morning, with a slow increase in clouds throughout the day as our next system approaches. However, it remains dry during the day. Warmer with maximum temperatures between 32 and 38°F.

EXTENDED FORECAST: Another system will move in over the weekend (warmer air arrives) with a rain/snow mix increasing across the region Saturday evening before transitioning to showers Sunday morning. Warmer for the weekend with 30s Saturday and 30s to 40s Sunday. Another system arrives on Tuesday and rain should occur at that time.