MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) – Some Mid-Michigan students and educators will have Thursday off as the first storm of the winter season hits the region.

Most school districts in Huron County were among the first to cancel classes Thursday. Lake effect-induced snowfall off Lake Huron will result in the highest snowfall totals in Mid-Michigan Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.

Other primarily rural school districts in the region closed Thursday due to uncertain travel conditions expected in the morning and the possibility of bitterly cold wind chills.

Snowfall totals weren’t very impressive on Thursday due to the winter weather system. The National Weather Service in Detroit received reports of 1.5 to 1.9 inches of snow in southern Genesee County and northern Oakland County.

Higher snowfall amounts were expected in the Thumb region due to the strengthening of the lake effect.

Strong winds with gusts of about 30 to 40 miles per hour overnight coupled with a colder air mass were the major threats from the Alberta Clipper weather system sweeping across central Michigan.

Wind chill levels were forecast to drop into the single digits Thursday morning, while the strong winds could cause blowing snow, reducing visibility for motorists during the morning commute.

A sudden frost overnight could also make roads slippery.

Stay with the Storm Tracker 12 Weather Team for updates on the region’s first winter storm on air and online Thursday.