We’ve been bringing you details and updates on this impending storm over the past few days. So when is it actually supposed to start?

The National Weather Service (NWS) team in Grand Rapids hosted a special storm webinar this afternoon to share the latest details. This storm system is a little different for us in that it is a hybrid: We have a fast-moving clipper system that will bring snow squalls and arctic air, and it will be followed by a longer-lasting lake-effect snow event that could bring this in some areas of western Michigan and northern Michigan will see 8 to 12 inches of snow.

And with the strong winds brought by this storm, the lake effect snow could be blown further inland than normal. So instead of just ending up in the Lakeshore region counties, it could start to cluster in the counties east of there.

If you look at the NWS timed map above, you can see the system coming ashore near Lake Michigan at 5 p.m. and then reaching the middle of the state and beyond at 7 p.m

Tonight the main dangers are deteriorating travel conditions and strong wind gusts which could lead to power outages. The NWS urges all motorists to be aware of the rapidly changing conditions if they need to travel this evening. Snow squalls can cause white-out situations and can occur suddenly. They can also cause roads to become heavily icy.

“Snow squalls and whiteout conditions will impact evening commutes as visibility quickly drops below 1/4 mile and road conditions change rapidly, including the I-96, I-94, US 131, US 127 and I-69 corridors.” , NWS meteorologists said. “Expect dangerous travel conditions this evening into Thursday.”