Community Corner

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Up North

A storm that threatens to dump a foot of snow on parts of northern Michigan just in time for the holiday is only expected to dust Grosse Pointe with precipitation.

The first major storm this winter – which could leave portions of the Great Lakes region under a foot of snow as the season officially gets under way Friday, Dec. 21 – largely will spare Grosse Pointe.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes regions and hazardous travel conditions are expected through Friday, the forecasting agency warns. More than a foot of snow could accumulate across portions of the Midwest and into the Great Lakes, according to the NWS.

[Are you headed Up North for the holiday? Stay safe and upload your snow photos here!]

Find out what's happening in Grosse Pointewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Grosse Pointe, which is on the southern edge of the storm, will experience rain turning to snowy drizzle with a high around 47 degrees and winds gusting up to 29 miles per hour beginning Thursday, the forecasting agency says. Snow showers are expected Friday, along with a high of 36 degrees and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Snow accumulation of less than half an inch is forecast and no further precipitation is expected in Grosse Pointe before Christmas Day on Tuesday, Dec. 25, the National Weather Service says.

Find out what's happening in Grosse Pointewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But, if you're headed Up North, be prepared for hazardous conditions.

For example, in Traverse City, a winter storm warning and hazardous weather outlook are in effect with a 100 percent chance of snow Thursday and a 90 percent chance of snow Friday, according to the NWS.

"Snowfall totals will range from 8 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Blowing and drifting snow will accompany this snow, especially late Thursday night and Friday, with possible periods of blizzard conditions for portions of northwest lower Michigan," says the winter storm warning, which also warns of slick roads and low visibility for drivers.

The hazardous weather outlook also warns of possible power outages and gale-force winds in northern Michigan.


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