It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas... Up North

The first major storm this winter – which could leave portions of the Great Lakes region under a foot of snow as the season officially gets under way Friday, Dec. 21 – largely will spare White Lake and Highland.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes regions and hazardous travel conditions are expected through Friday, the forecasting agency warns. More than a foot of snow could accumulate across portions of the Midwest and into the Great Lakes, according to the NWS.

[Are you headed Up North for the holiday? Stay safe and upload your snow photos here!]

White Lake and Highland, which are on the edge of the storm, will experience rain turning to snowy drizzle with a high around 44 degrees and winds gusting up to 34 miles per hour beginning Thursday, the forecasting agency says. Snow showers are expected Friday, along with a high of 33 degrees and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Snow accumulation of less than half an inch is forecast for Thursday, with an additional one to two inches expected Friday. No further precipitation is expected in White Lake and Highland before Christmas Day on Tuesday, Dec. 25, the National Weather Service says.

But, if you're headed Up North, be prepared for hazardous conditions.

For example, in Traverse City, a winter storm warning and hazardous weather outlook are in effect with a 100 percent chance of snow Thursday and a 90 percent chance of snow Friday, according to the NWS.

"Snowfall totals will range from 8 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Blowing and drifting snow will accompany this snow, especially late Thursday night and Friday, with possible periods of blizzard conditions for portions of northwest lower Michigan," says the winter storm warning, which also warns of slick roads and low visibility for drivers.

The hazardous weather outlook also warns of possible power outages and gale-force winds in northern Michigan.