Winter weather advisory issued for Ann Arbor area; snow could snarl afternoon commute
Editor's note: This article was updated at 11:30 a.m. with new storm total forecasts
A winter storm moving out of Illinois could make the afternoon commute difficult for Ann Arbor-area residents today, dumping up to 4 inches of snow before moving out of the area.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Washtenaw County from noon until midnight tonight. Snow is expected to begin this afternoon, with 2 to 3 inches falling between 3 and 9 p.m. The Weather Service predicts a storm total for the region of 3 to 5 inches by morning, but the total in the Ann Arbor area will probably be about 3 to 4 inches, said Amos Dodson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake Township.
Ann Arbor-area drivers negotiate the streets on a snowy day.
Areas near the Ohio border will likely get a bit more snow, he said.
Wednesday will bring snow showers before 7 a.m., then a chance for flurries during the day. The next chance for significant snowfall is Saturday, Dodson said. It's too early to predict a snowfall total with much accuracy, he said, but he said that system is likely to produce another 2 to 4 inches.
Temperatures are not expected to climb above freezing all week, so the snow that falls with be with us for a while. The high today is expected to be 26 degrees. Temperatures will be nearly steady around 23 overnight. The high Wednesday is expected to be near 24, but winds will likely make it feel colder. Winds will blow at 11 to 16 mph, but could gust to 21 mph, the Weather Service said.
For updated forecasts throughout the day, check AnnArbor.com's weather page.
Comments
John Q
Wed, Jan 12, 2011 : 9:50 a.m.
"Pre-salting is the practice of putting salt down on roads before there is snow on them, in anticipation of a storm. The idea is that you get the snow melting as soon as it hits rather than reacting to it afterwards." This seems incredibly wasteful and ineffective based on the points noted in the previous post. What road agencies put down road salt on dry roads in advance of a storm?
John B.
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
From another AA.com article today: "Though some people may question why crews dont lay down salt ahead of the storm, Harmon said that would be wasteful. Traffic would knock the salt into the ditches and storm sewers, he said. Once the road is wet, traffic helps break down the nuggets of salt into a brine that is very effective at preventing snow and ice from bonding with the pavement."
mr54
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
Pre salting makes too much sense. That's why the WRC doesn't do it.
johnnya2
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 2:19 p.m.
It seems the same people who bitch about lack of "pre-salting" or plowing are the same who complain bout the government budgets. Every road could be salted, plowed and smooth as anything. The problem is, nobody is willing to pay for it. When Geoff Feiger ran for governor he suggested using the same concrete the Euorpeans use that lasts double the life of what we use, and can withstand the Michigan winters. Nobody wanted that because it costs too much. The construction companies hate the idea because then they do not get to come back in three years and make more money on the project. Unless people start thinking long term instead of short term we will always have these problems
lisam
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
I wasn't blaming the road crews. I was blaming the road conditions from the weather....period. Road crews DO the best they can, but nothing is 100%. Just because we live where we have road crews ready and waiting, that doesn't even matter. It's every one else on the road that you have to be aware of. SUVs and 4-wheel drives/drivers act like the own the road and those who aren't equipped with such a vehicle drive white-knuckled praying we make it to our destination. Bad weather is bad weather and if you need to stay home do so.
John Q
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 1:18 p.m.
What is pre-salting?
huh7891
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 1:06 p.m.
Drivers cause accidents, not the weather. Drive appropriately for the conditions on the road. If you can't handle it stay home, rather than putting everyone else in jeopardy. Lastly please quit blaming the road crews, they do the best they can with what they have.
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:59 a.m.
using edward's math... "...it shows "at least 10%" chance of 4 inches of snow in the area today, with "at least 40%" chance of 4 inches as you get to Lake Erie." we'll see.4" of snow. that's probably about right.
lisam
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:55 a.m.
South or not, Michigan roads are not maintained. There is never ever a time when the weather is bad that there is not an accident. It just not worth it, period. Better to stay home.
Independent_Thinker
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.
Snow advisory? 4 inches of snow? This is still Michigan right? 4" of snow is pretty minimal. But Sally has it right, snow removal here is absolutely horrible!
huh7891
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
Fortunately, this is Michigan, not the south. I been listening to a co worker whine since before 8 this morning. They keep announcing they will be leaving when it starts snowing...as if this is a blizzard in the making.
lisam
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.
correction...I meant "pay incentive when they can't make it."
lisam
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:34 a.m.
I work at home for clients out of the south. Many have shut their business down. (I used to commute daily for YEARS to Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti). My husband says it's because "they don't have road crews like we do"... I said my point exactly. We HAVE road crews, yet our roads are HORRIBLE. Nobody I know loves to drive in that and I think employers should pay incentives to those who can make it when the conditions are so bad and let those who can't make it in not be penalized and/or let them get to work when they CAN and it's safe.
Ignatz
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 11:28 a.m.
Provided that those responsible do their usual jobs, this shouldn't be as bad as the snow we had in December. At these temperatures, the salt should be much more effective than before. When it's colder, a salt/sand mix should be used to provide some traction until the salt can do its work.
mr54
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:49 a.m.
1-3 2-4 3-5 inches or the possibilty of 1-6 inches
Sallyxyz
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 10:24 a.m.
OK. There has been plenty of warning about this snowfall. There is absolutely NO excuse for the salt trucks not to be out this morning, AHEAD of the storm, pre-salting the roads. But, of course, in usual fashion, Washtenaw County and the city of A2 will wait until the snow comes down heavily, and then make all kinds of excuses about why the roads are not plowed sufficiently. They just react, even with plenty of prior warning about snowfalls coming. USE MORE SALT! Get out there early, AHEAD of the storm!!
David Cahill
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 9:47 a.m.
Any sign of a snow derecho? 8-)
MjC
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 9:46 a.m.
Yes, it's gonna snow - and people should DRIVE MORE CAUTIOUSLY!
mr54
Tue, Jan 11, 2011 : 9:31 a.m.
So, in conclusion... It's gonna snow.