WNEM TV 5 Storm brings snow, slippery roads to Michigan

Friday's widespread winter storm that is expected to bring snow accumulations from 3 to 7 inches began with a mix of rain of snow.

The inclement weather started to fall around 1 a.m. and is tracking in a northeasterly direction.

Snow will likely impact your travel plans all day, so plan on slick roads and give yourself the extra time and drive carefully. Moderate snow is forecasted to continue through the morning hours before becoming a little lighter throughout the afternoon.

Lingering scattered snow showers will continue into Saturday morning. There will be a wide variety of snow totals through Saturday morning.

Shiawassee, Genessee, and Lapeer counties will likely receive the most snow, totaling 3 to 7 inches. Tri-Cities area will also see about 3 to 7 inches, and Mount Pleasant and northward will see about 3 to 6 inches. Areas in the thumb can expect about 3 to 7 inches and Houghton Lake will get about 1 to 3 inches. Locally higher amounts are possible.

About 5 to 8 inches was expected in areas including Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. The weather service says areas closer to Detroit and southwest of the city toward the Ohio border could get 2 to 5 inches. Crews were on the road early Friday to put down salt.

The weather also prompted school closings across the TV5 viewing area. The storm comes after parts of Michigan haven't seen a lot of snow so far this winter.

The winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings for Mid-Michigan are in effect until 7 p.m.

>> Full First Warn 5 Forecast:

Today: Snow. High near 34. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 8 to 11 mph increasing to between 17 and 20 mph. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow showers likely, mainly before 7 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 26. West northwest wind between 14 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than 1 inch possible.

Copyright 2012 WNEM (Meredith Corporation.) All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.