Snow and Cold Snap Close Metro Detroit Schools, Disrupt Commutes

The recent winter weather has had a significant impact on Metro Detroit, leading to school closures and disrupted commutes. Snow began accumulating in Southeast Michigan on Tuesday, continuing into Wednesday, causing challenges for residents.

Snowfall Details in Metro Detroit

As of Tuesday afternoon, around 1 inch of snow had fallen in various areas, including White Lake Township and Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus. By Wednesday morning, snowfall totals had escalated:

• Wixom: 5.4 inches
• Shelby Township: 4.5 inches
• Farmington Hills: 3.8 inches

These snowfall amounts prompted several public school districts to close their doors on Wednesday, prioritizing student safety as icy conditions were expected.

Road Conditions and Driver Safety

The Michigan Department of Transportation reported numerous accidents across major highways, including:

• Interstate 696
• Interstate 75
• Interstate 96
• Interstate 275

Road crews from Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties had preemptively deployed snowplows to manage the weather’s impact. Officials urged drivers to exercise caution due to reduced visibility and slippery conditions.

Snow Emergency Declarations

Several communities declared snow emergencies, which restrict parking on city streets to facilitate snow removal. Key cities declaring emergencies include:

• Auburn Hills: Emergency from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday
• Birmingham: Until 5 p.m. Thursday
• Pontiac: Until 8 a.m. Friday
• Troy: No specified end time for the parking ban

Weather Forecast and Upcoming Conditions

As of early Wednesday, the National Weather Service had issued a winter weather advisory for areas north of I-69, expecting an additional 3 to 6 inches of snow. For regions south of I-69, a lighter accumulation of up to 4 inches was anticipated.

Forecasts indicated a shift to rain and mixed precipitation for areas along and south of M-59, transitioning to all snow later in the day. A cold snap approaching Thursday morning is expected to drop temperatures into the teens.

Extended Forecast for Detroit

Residents are advised to stay updated on weather conditions and to drive safely during this winter weather period. Meteorologists warn of the potential for sub-zero wind chills and further light snow accumulation as arctic air enters the region.