Southeast Michigan is about to get its first snowfall of the season and it could affect the morning commute.
A few snowflakes could come down in parts of Southeast Michigan after sundown on Wednesday, Nov. 20, but the majority of the snow is expected to arrive early Thursday, Nov. 21, morning.
Local 4 meteorologist Ashlee Baracy said this snowfall will mostly be a traffic event. This means commuters will want to have a little extra time for their morning drive and be prepared for slick roads.
What drivers need to know
Scattered and widespread snow showers are expected to arrive between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Thursday morning and will persist possibly into midday.
This is expected to be a wet snow that will melt and make for slick driving conditions. This is because temperatures are in the 40s and the ground isn’t frozen.
How concerned should you be? Local 4 meteorologist Ashlee Baracy expects the snow to be a nuisance more than anything, but the snow could pick up intensity enough to affect visibility on the roads Thursday morning.
By lunchtime, there could still be scattered pockets of snow rolling through, but nothing intense is expected.
---> Here’s how much snow to expect in Southeast Michigan over next 24 hours
Michigan State Police have offered the following tips for driving safely in the winter:
Drive slow on ice and snow
Most winter driving crashes happen because drivers are going too fast for the road conditions. Michigan law requires drivers to go at a speed that is “reasonable and proper” for road conditions. If you’re going too fast you could get a ticket, even if you’re going below the speed limit.
- It can take up to ten times longer to stop your vehicle on snowy and/or icy roads. Slow down and allow more room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. This gives you more time to react and brake, reducing your crash risk.
- Put your turn signal on sooner than you would in warm weather months. Remember, it takes longer for the cars behind you to react and stop, too.
- Avoid distractions now more than ever. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds robs you of precious reaction time. Put your phone away and don’t try to multitask (eating, putting on makeup, etc.).
- Watch for black ice. Black ice, a very thin and nearly invisible layer of ice that makes the road look wet, is another reason to slow down this winter. Stay alert for black ice on bridges, ramps and overpasses, after sudden drops in temperature, and in shaded areas.
- Don’t be fooled by four-wheel drive. Front-wheel-drive (FWD), all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles are less likely to slip during acceleration than a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle. However, FWD, AWD and 4WD vehicles are just as difficult to stop and turn on wintry roads as RWD vehicles. So slow down!
- Don’t make any sudden moves. Accelerate and brake smoothly and gradually — no stomping on the brake or gas pedal.
- Steer into a skid. If your vehicle begins to skid, first take your foot off the accelerator. Then steer in the same direction the rear of your car is sliding. In other words, if the rear end of your car is swinging to the right, turn your steering wheel to the right. Don’t steer violently, or you’ll just skid in the opposite direction.
- Work on your ABS. With an antilock braking system (ABS), when your car skids and you step on the brakes, you may feel a pulsing sensation. This is normal—do not let up on the brakes! ABS will prevent your wheels from locking during a skid, giving you greater steering control. It will not help you stop more quickly, however. So, keep driving slow on ice and snow.
- Don’t cruise. Using cruise control on ice and snow can be dangerous. If your car skids, the cruise control will accelerate to maintain a constant speed —spinning your wheels even faster and increasing the chance you will lose control of your vehicle.
- Keep the lights low. If you’re driving in snow, rain or fog, reduce reflective glare by putting your headlights on low beam.