High wind warning issued for Washtenaw County; more snow, cold coming too

Mark Oswald of Mount Pleasant shovels snow in front of his home today. A storm will bring more snow today, along with high winds.

AP photo

Although the Ann Arbor area escaped the worst of a winter storm that hit other parts of Michigan Tuesday night, conditions are about to get a lot worse, the National Weather Service warns.

The Weather Service has issued a high wind warning starting today at noon and lasting until 4 a.m. Thursday. The wind will be accompanied by bone-chilling cold and snowfall overnight. The service says winds will gust to 60 mph, and sustained winds will blow at 30 to 40 mph.

High winds around noon today brought down a power line that closed east and westbound lanes of M-14 for a time.

Snow accumulation of up to 2 inches is expected tonight. Temperatures will fall to a low of between 14 and 18 degrees.

Before the serious snow and cold hits, expect rain and snow showers this afternoon. Temperatures will climb to a high of 41 to 45 before plunging.

Washtenaw County residents can take heart that our brethren on the west side of the state are getting a far bigger taste of winter.Â

A blizzard warning has been issued for southwestern lower Michigan. Up to 8 inches of snow fell in some parts overnight, and the storm knocked out power to at least 25,000 homes and businesses. Six to 8 more inches of snow will fall before the storm is over, the Weather Service says.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.