Thousands of customers are still without power Thursday, Dec. 5, after a snowstorm with high winds knocked out power.

Consumers Energy reported around 8:30 a.m. Thursday that nearly 3,400 customers were without power, primarily in counties in the western part of the state: Allegan (496), Kent (44), Muskegon (1,400) and Ottawa (697).

DTE Energy reported about 2,000 customers without power in the eastern part of the state, mostly near Ann Arbor and parts around Detroit.

RELATED: Winds will gust to 40 miles per hour today as wind chills drop to near zero

Utilities reported that most power grids are expected to have power restored by early Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said residents could expect wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour across the state on Thursday.

Wind chill will also be a problem for anyone shoveling, using a snow blower or doing other work outside. Wind chill is forecast with temperatures between zero and ten degrees.

Parts of western Michigan, particularly along the lakeshore, are expected to see even more snow. Heavy lake snowfall is expected to continue to fall throughout the day – up to 20cm in places.

RELATED: See where snow plows are operating and check the cameras in the snow plow for road conditions in your area

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s MiDrive map allows real-time tracking of snow plows as they move across the state, clearing and gritting roads to clear a path for drivers.

As a reminder, drivers could face a $100 ticket if they follow a snowplow too closely, not just during this storm but throughout the winter.

Under the law, people can face a $100 ticket if they drive within 200 feet behind a snowplow that is actively gritting, gritting, clearing snow or otherwise attempting to remove snow and ice.