Snow will be steady and moderate in Lower Michigan late today through Friday morning. The latest model data shows a slight increase in expected snow.

The snow sets in slowly in the first few hours and is light. Snow should begin in the afternoon on the west side of Lower Michigan and early evening on the east side of Lower Michigan.

This won’t be the type of snow system that dumps a thick inch of snow in the first hour. It takes three to six hours until the first centimeter falls in one place.

I would call it 2 to 4 inches of snow for a strip in the middle of Lower Michigan. From I-94 south, snow will decrease to one to two inches. Northern Lower Michigan will still have at least two to four inches even with this system.

The total snowfall forecast map also shows some lake strengthening for areas of northeast Lower Michigan, the eastern tip of the Thumb and the Traverse City area.

Here is the latest model prediction, which is usually the most accurate in such situations. This is model data as of 7am this morning.

A continuous area of ​​5 to 10 cm is evident from north of Grand Rapids to Flint and further north. South of this border there will be 1 to 5 inches of snow. You can also see the patchy forecast of 6 to 9 inches for the northeast coast of Lower Michigan and the Grand Traverse region.

Here are some snow amounts at various times in the storm system, starting with the amount we can expect at 7 p.m. today. There won’t be much snow until late evening.

Central and northern Lower Michigan can brace for a blanket of snow that could stay on the ground through Christmas. In far southern Lower Michigan, it will be very doubtful whether any snow will remain on the ground on Christmas Day.

There will be difficult rides on Friday morning and you will need more time to achieve your goals.