Forecast: Blowing Snow, Slippery Commute

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Following what's seemed like a late start to winter, Metro Detroit is chilling out a bit Thursday night, as the rain changes to snow.

WWJ-TV Chief Meteorologist Jim Madaus said this weather system will bring quite a bit of wind and 1 to 2 inches of snow to our area.

Madaus says, beginning Thursday night, areas Up North and west of us, into Wisconsin, could see 5 to 10 inches of snow. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued in effect until 7 p.m. Friday for the west side of the state. Michigan's Thumb area may see 3 inches.

Although it will be a long period of snowfall, Madaus says it will be more like a continuous light shower in Metro Detroit. However, he said with wind gusts up to 30-miles per hour, the snow will be blowing around the roads -- so expect a slippery, possible treacherous, commute Friday morning.

The snow is expected to taper off Friday morning with a high temperature Friday creeping up to 43 degrees with an overnight low of 27. The snow could make a brief reappearance on Saturday (Hi 31/Lo 18) with only partly cloudy skies and colder temps forecasted for Sunday (Hi 23/Low 18).

Flight Delays & Cancellations

With this major winter storm brewing, some airlines are issuing weather waivers for passengers to change flights. Delta Airlines said it is expecting the weather to impact travel to, from and through Chicago and Milwaukee.

Passengers are being allowed to change tickets without fees. Frontier airlines has also issued weather waivers for travelers to, from or through Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ironwood, Madison Wisconsin and Milwaukee.

You can check the status of your flight here, or visit delta.com for waiver information.

Extended Forecast: Winter Is Coming

While the extremely cold and showy winter that forecasters had called for hasn't yet appeared, Madaus said that doesn't mean it's not coming.

He said the mild weather its about to start changing now  and only time will tell how bad it will get.  He said an average winter in Detroit sees 44 inches of snowfall -- and even with the delay we absolutely could still see that and more.

So far this season Metro Detroit picked up 6.7 inches compare to an average of 15.7 inches by the date. Last year at this time we had seen 17.6 inches.

For the latest, keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s, 24 hours a day.  Check the extended forecast and take a look at the live anytime radar on our weather page.