Weather advisory for freezing rain and snow prompts dozens of school closures in SE Mich.
A winter weather advisory for southeast Michigan through Tuesday afternoon has led more than two dozen school districts to announce closings with freezing rain, up to 4 inches of snow and icy roads expected.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory for southeast Michigan, warning that freezing rain and drizzle, and snow and sleet would continue through Tuesday in Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee and Monroe counties. The heaviest wintry precipitation from a low-pressure system driving the mix were likely between midnight and 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Hazardous conditions were expected to affect the Tuesday morning commute and drivers were advised to slow down and use caution.
The weather service said a mix of precipitation, with snow accumulations up to 4 inches and ice accumulations of up to two-tenths of an inch were expected in cities including Howell, Pontiac, Warren, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Adrian and Monroe.
"From Ann Arbor to Detroit and south, a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is more likely until temperatures rise above freezing early to mid-afternoon," the weather service said.
Heavy snow is expected to fall along and south of M-59 between 7 p.m. Monday and 4 p.m. Tuesday, the weather service said. Between midnight and 4 p.m. Tuesday, snow will fall along and north of Interstate 69.
Several school districts across the region began notifying parents of closures Monday due to expected icy roads. Detroit Public Schools Community District announced its schools and central office would close Tuesday, citing "dangerous driving conditions during travel to schools and work," its website said.
Other closures include districts in Birmingham, Berkley, Bloomfield Hills, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Grosse Ile Township, Ecorse, Farmington Public Schools, Ferndale, Garden City, Dearborn, Clawson, Allen Park, Lakeview Public Schools in St. Clair Shores, Livonia, Monroe, Novi, Oak Park, Port Huron, Redford Township, Royal Oak, Southfield, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, West Bloomfield and Wyandotte.
Temperatures are expected to climb through the week with highs expected to reach into the 40s for the last half of the workweek. The warmer weather is expected to bring a greater chance for rain, the weather service said.
Extended Detroit forecast
Tuesday: Cloudy; high 36, low 30
Wednesday: Cloudy; high 40, low 33
Thursday: Cloudy; high 42, low 33
Friday: Cloudy; high 43, low 30
Saturday: Cloudy; high 41, low 32
Sunday: Mostly cloudy; high 39, low near 30
Source: National Weather Service
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