Winter Weather: Snow Storm Leads To Delays And School Closings

DETROIT, MI- Schools continue to announce closing going into the evening in anticipation of the heavy snowfall from the winter storm watch issued by the National Weather Service. Schoolcraft College announced that the college will be closed today at 3 p.m. with the exception of the Sports Dome and Urgent Care, classes are expected to resume on Thursday. Wayne State University also announcing that they will be closing campus for the evening at 2:30 p.m. today. Lawrence Tech, also announced they will be closing campus at 3:50 p.m. due to heavy snowfall.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm advisory for Midland, Saginaw, Shiawasse, Genesse, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe counties; predicting about 5-8 inches of snow, with poor visibility during rush hour from the afternoon going into the evening.

Temperatures are being reported to be in the lower 20s during the storm.

Many cities are declaring snow emergencies from Dearborn, Plymouth, Ferndale, Roseville, Taylor, and now Auburn Hills included in the many cities to issue a snow emergency; all urging citizens to clear the streets of parked vehicles to make way for snow plows to clean the streets in the evenings, as the snowfall accumulates.

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Current traffic according to WWJ 950 AM reporting low visibility at a quarter-mile with roads begin covered on the roads at noon, encouraging drivers to turn on their headlights while driving this afternoon, leave plenty of time to get to destinations today during your commute. Traffic moving slowly on the roads. Traffic moving at about 30-40 miles per hour, on the freeways.

The National Weather Service's Detroit Facebook page also reporting that light to moderate snow will continue to move into southeast Michigan into the early afternoon.

They are warning drivers to expect a longer and stressful commute, and that if you must travel today make sure your vehicle is equipped with supplies. Food, water, a flashlight in case of emergencies.

City of Detroit is also contracting help from Cass Community Social Services, and Detroit Rescue Mission are going to help with providing temporary relief for the homeless.

There is also space available for individuals and families at the Grace Centers of Hope Emergency Shelter Program. They provide food, clothing and other accommodations for those in need.

Oakland County official Craig Bryson, already has salt trucks and plows out on the street, snow is reported to be falling at an inch to two inches per hour, "It's gonna be a mess with the compounded rush hour traffic and snow. " Bryson says they will have drivers out for 16 hour shifts today, usually around rush hour it is more difficult to have trucks maneuver through traffic. He says citizens should try to move aside safely if they can; to allow trucks to get through, and for drivers to exercise caution while driving behind trucks, since they usually receive a report of at least one driver hitting a salt truck every year during snow emergencies.

WWJ also reporting grocery stores are already seeing more customers heading into the stores this morning, to buy food and supplies before the storm hits tonight. A customer saying that they wanted to be prepared and grab things early instead of trying to brave the storm later in the evening.

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