Updated forecast: Lansing will get most of its snow Thursday night; strong winds to follow

UPDATED 5 P.M. DEC. 22: LANSING − Much of Michigan was under a winter storm warning effective from 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon to 1 a.m. Christmas Eve, with forecasters predicting winds gusting to 50 mph or more, blizzard conditions, ice-covered roads and possible power outages.

The Lansing area should get the bulk of its snow −3 to 6 inches − between 6 p.m. and midnight Thursday, with heavier amounts falling to the west of the region, according to an updated forecast from the National Weather Service. Snow was falling in Grand Rapids before 3 p.m.

The biggest threat Thursday night will be snow and slush freezing on the roads, said Joe Ceru, a forecaster at the weather service's Grand Rapids station. Temperatures probably won't fall below freezing in Lansing until after 7 p.m. but will drop "precipitously" over the next few hours, he said.

"It's that flash freeze (on the roads) that's going to be the biggest concern," Ceru said.

The central and eastern parts of the Lower Peninsula will get most of their snow on Thursday night After that, frigid temperatures, strong winds and blowing snow will keep road conditions treacherous for the next couple of days, forecasters said.

It'll be a different story in the western counties, where significant lake-effect snow will continue into the weekend.

"The further west you get, the worst it's going to be," Ceru said.

The weather service said snow squalls will continue sporadically on Friday and into Saturday morning, leading to blizzard or near-blizzard conditions. The strongest winds won't get going until around 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday, Ceru said.

The weather service is forecasting the potential for blizzard conditions in the Upper Peninsula beginning Thursday, and in the Lower Peninsula starting on Friday. Blizzard conditions are expected to last through Saturday with wind gusts between 40-50 mph and gusts over 60 mph possible at times Friday into Saturday in some parts of the state.

Ingham County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Emergency Manager Rob Dale said the mix of winds and snow are expected to create conditions that are rare in mid-Michigan.

The snow alone will make traveling difficult and an entire day of very strong winds will make it even more difficult and dangerous, Dale said.

"Travel is really going to be rough even as the snow slows down," he said. "It's the winds that make it not a normal Michigan snowstorm."

Michigan snowfall predictions: See how much your area will get during winter storm

Emergency Management officials are encouraging residents to avoid traveling unless it is absolutely essential. Dale encouraged anyone traveling for the holidays to leave on Thursday before the storm hits, if possible.

Adding to the snow and the wind will be dramatically colder temperatures, with wind chill values plummeting to at or below zero.

"We haven't had a stretch like that in while," Dale said. "It's the combination that sets this apart."

What Consumers, DTE are doing

The Michigan Public Service Commission and Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division are working with utilities and local providers to pre-deploy staff and crews to help keep the power on, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.

Officials urged residents to avoid bringing a generator inside a home. Carbon monoxide poisoning could easily happen, as it is odorless gas that is extremely dangerous. "A portable generator should be placed at least 25 feet away from any doors, windows or fresh air intakes," according to Consumers Energy. "Never operate a generator inside your home, garage, basement or enclosed area. Proper ventilation is critical."

Stay at least 25 feet away from, and report, any downed wires to your energy supplier. A rule of thumb is to stay a bus length away, said Trevor Lauer, president and COO of DTE Electric.

"We do expect in an event like this that there will be some wires that come down," Lauer said. "We urge the public that if you see yellow caution tape, please stay away."

DTE will have 700 employees in the field working on downed wires as quickly as possible. Another 1,000 employees will be available to assist customers. DTE serves 2.2 million residents in southeast Michigan.

Report any power outages in southeast Michigan and receive restoration updates and preparation tips on DTE's website.

Consumers Energy is also preparing for any outages or hazards during the storm, Consumers Energy President and CEO Garrick Rochow said in a video message. The utility company provides services to 6.7 million Michigan residents in the Lower Peninsula.

He said the company has been preparing all week for the storm and expects high winds to cause outages.

In a Twitter post, Consumers urged customers to stay at least 25 feet away from a downed wire and anything it is touching. Customers should call 9-1-1 and then Consumers at 800-477-5050 if they find downed lines.

To report any outages or gas leaks, see which areas are affected or receive power restoration updates as a Consumers Energy customer, visit the company's website.

State officials urge people not to travel

Whitmer urged Michigan residents to prepare for the storm and to keep their families and neighbors safe.

“The State of Michigan is closely watching conditions as they develop and taking action to prepare for winter weather impacts,” Whitmer said, adding that she is “grateful for the dedicated first responders working to keep Michiganders safe this weekend.”

She urged residents to stay home and avoid travel during the storm and to have enough supplies to endure a power outage or other emergency.

The state is also taking the following actions:

Michigan State Police will direct additional troopers to assist motorists and has established lines of communication with local emergency management coordinators, the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is prepared to provide additional resources on freeways and other state-plowed roads this weekend.

Many cities and local governments set up warming centers ahead of inclement weather. To find a warming center near you, visit https://mi211.org/ and search “warming centers” or call 2-1-1.

Lansing activates ‘Code Blue’ plan

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor signed an order activating the city’s Code Blue plan, which authorizes  the Department of Human Relations & Community Services and the Lansing Fire Department’s Emergency Management Division to take steps to protect residents. The policy took effect at 8 a.m. Thursday and will remain in effect through 8 a.m. Tuesday, in part because of cold temperatures.

“With the snow and extreme cold weather in the forecast for Lansing over the coming holiday weekend, I want to ensure we are working with our partner agencies to have a plan in place for those who are on the streets and need shelter. It is going to be far too cold outside for people and I have been working with our City departments to help get people into warm, safe shelter as much as possible,” Schor said in a statement.

He said city staff have been working with shelters and other organizations in recent days to implement the plan. Dean Transportation is donating transportation to shelters if needed.

“We know there are some who are resistant to accepting these services for a variety of reasons, but it is going to be very cold, and we all hope that these individuals will accept this help and can get warm,” said Kim Coleman, director of the Department of Human Relations & Community Services.

The following plans are in place for emergency cold weather shelters:

Thursday

• Day: Holy Cross New Hope Community Center

• Night: Holy Cross New Hope Community Center & The Outreach Drop-In Center

Friday

• Day: Holy Cross New Hope Community Center

• Night: Holy Cross New Hope Community Center & The Outreach Drop-In Center

Saturday (Christmas Eve)

• Day: Advent House

• Night: The Outreach Drop-In Center

Sunday (Christmas Day)

• Day: Advent House

• Night: The Outreach Drop-In Center

If those shelters fill up, Advent House will handle overflow. Advent House will also assist with cases involving families, seniors, and individuals with limited mobility.

Residents can also contact agencies directly:

• Advent House, 743 N Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Lansing (517) 485-4722

• Holy Cross New Hope Community Center, 430 N. Larch Street, Lansing (517) 484-4414

• The Outreach Drop-In Center, City Rescue Mission, 601 N. Larch Street, Lansing, 517-485-0145

Cold weather tips

Some other tips, according to state officials:

• Stay indoors if possible. If you must go out, wear layers to prevent loss of body heat and cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.

• Keep a three-day supply of food and water, battery-powered weather radio, flashlight and extra batteries, and extra blankets.

• For those requiring oxygen, make sure you have a backup power source in case of outages.

• To protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning, do not use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal burning device inside your home, basement, garage, or near a window.

• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who are at risk and may need additional assistance.

• Follow @MichEMHS for more information on how to prepare before, during, and after an emergency.

For those who decide to travel:

• Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank near full to prevent it from freezing.

• Pack an emergency supply kit with essentials like salt or cat litter, jumper cables, flashlight, shovel, food, water, and blankets.

• Make sure you give yourself extra time to get where you are going safely.

• Avoid downed power lines, which could be carrying live electricity.

• Snowplows have blind spots, especially in a snowstorm. Give snowplow operators a little extra help and “Don’t Crowd the Plow.”

• Before you travel, check MDOT’s MiDrive Website for information on closures, snowplow locations, and other road condition information.

Detroit Free Press reporter Nour Rahal contributed.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Blizzard conditions expected Friday across much of Michigan