weather

(December 24, 2022 7:34 AM) The National Weather Service has again extended the  WINTER STORM WARNING, now in effect until 7 PM this evening.   * WHAT...Light snow...blowing snow and hazardous travel conditions. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to locally 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Eaton, Ingham, Calhoun and Jackson counties. * WHEN...Until 7 PM EST this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility to near zero at times. The cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lake effect snow will continue to push inland and affect areas in the Winter Storm Warning. While snow totals will not be heavy, hazardous travel will continue with icy roads and areas of blowing snow. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

(December 23, 2022 4:23 PM) The WINTER STORM WARNING now in effect has been extended to 7 AM EST Saturday. * WHAT...Whiteout conditions expected at times due to falling and blowing snow. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches by Sunday morning. Wind gusts as high as 50 mph. Wind chills to 15 below are expected. * WHERE...Portions of central and south central Michigan. * WHEN...Until 7 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel remains very difficult. Widespread blowing snow is significantly reducing visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wind driven lake effect snow showers will continue through Saturday as well as drifting snow and cold temperatures. Snowfall totals across the warning area will range from 4 to 8 inches. The main component to this event will be the wind. Winds gusting in excess of 40 mph will create occasional whiteout conditions. The changeable weather will make for treacherous travel. The worst of the conditions are expected later this morning through Saturday. Wind chills of 10 to 20 below will make the danger of frost bite very real. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of…

(December 22,2022 7:21 AM)  The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 4 PM today through 1 AM Saturday. The National Weather Service says snow will develop Thursday afternoon and become heavy Thursday night. Lake effect snow kicks in by Friday morning. Blizzard conditions will develop late Thursday night and worsen on Friday. Widespread blowing and drifting snow is expected in all areas with the worst of conditions near and west of Highway 131. Snowfall totals by the time the event ends Saturday night into Sunday morning may exceed a foot in many areas in Western Lower Michigan and over a half a foot in middle sections of the state near Highway 127. Travel will deteriorate rapidly Thursday evening and become dangerous quickly. The worst of the conditions are expected Friday. Travel is not advised. Details of the Winter Storm Warning: * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central and south central Michigan. * WHEN...From 4 PM Thursday to 1 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening…

(December 21, 2022 7:25 PM) Ahead of heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerously cold temperatures forecasted later this week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the coordination of preparedness efforts between the State of Michigan and local communities to ensure full staffing of first responders, pre-deployment of utility repair crews, readiness for road crews, and availability of warming shelters. The governor also highlighted resources and tips to help Michiganders stay safe.   “With potentially dangerous winter weather on the way, it is important to prepare and be ready ahead of time to keep yourself, your family, and your neighbors safe,” said Governor Whitmer. “The State of Michigan is closely watching conditions as they develop and taking action to prepare for winter weather impacts. We will continue working hard to protect the health and safety of Michiganders, and are grateful for the dedicated first responders working to keep Michiganders safe this weekend.”  Travel is expected to be dangerous statewide Thursday through Saturday. The National Weather Service is forecasting the potential for blizzard conditions in the Upper Peninsula starting 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…

Consumers Energy CEO Garrick Rochow in a video message to customers. See video below. (December 21, 2022 3:58 PM) Consumers Energy is preparing for a large winter storm that is expected to hit the Great Lakes region with heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and damaging wind gusts that could affect Michigan later this week and into the weekend. This storm system is forecasted to begin late Thursday night and continue into Saturday. It could include winds over 60 mph, resulting in power outages, downed wires and other safety hazards. “Consumers Energy customers should know we are all-hands-on-deck preparing for this storm. Crews are preparing trucks and essential materials right now to assist with any restoration efforts,” said Garrick Rochow, President and CEO of Consumers Energy. “We are ready and we’ll work as quickly and as safely as possible to restore any outages this storm may cause. We are grateful for our customers’ patience and understanding.” The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Jackson County, along with central and southern lower Michigan.  Blizzard Warnings have been issued for counties in western Michigan.  Dangerous weather conditions are expected to begin late afternoon Thursday and last into Saturday. To help…

(UPDATED December 21, 2022 11:50 AM) The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a WINTER STORM WARNING in effect from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning for Jackson County and Central and Southern Lower Michigan. The Weather Service has issued a BLIZZARD WARNING for the West Michigan counties along the Lake Michigan coast. The NWS says a major winter storm will emerge into the Plains from the Rockies on Wednesday night and rapidly move into the Great Lakes on Thursday. Widespread snow is expected to develop Thursday afternoon and evening. Heavy snow will occur Thursday night and continue into Friday. A surge of wind will be added to the mix on Friday and Friday night with gusts over 40 mph likely and over 50 mph very possible. Heavy snow and winds of that magnitude set the stage for the potential of blizzard conditions. The worst of the weather should be Friday and Friday night as snow and blowing snow create whiteout/blizzard conditions. You are urged to complete travel on Thursday as conditions on Friday are expected to be treacherous to life threatening at times.  This afternoon, the NWS upgraded the WATCH to a WARNING with these details: * WHAT...Heavy…

(June 13, 2022 11:18 AM) A portion of Southern Lower Michigan could see a swath of damaging winds resulting in fallen trees and scattered to numerous power outages Monday afternoon or evening. Fast moving storms are expected to cross Lake Michigan during this time. Consumers Energy announced this morning they are preparing for damaging straight-line winds and severe thunderstorms that are expected to hit the lower regions of the lower peninsula starting Monday afternoon through late Monday night. Some of these storms may include heavy rain, hail and winds near 70 mph, resulting in power outages, downed wires and other safety hazards. The National Weather Service says there is a potential of some significant severe weather later this afternoon and evening across southern lower Michigan. The main time of concern will be from 4 pm this afternoon until about 2 am Tuesday morning. Damaging winds of 60 mph will be the main threat, with some significant winds of over 75 mph possible. There are lower chances of hail and a tornado. There is a chance also that some localized flooding could occur where storms would train over the same area for longer periods.  If you are outdoors, have a plan…

(February 1, 2022 3:45 PM) The City of Jackson has declared a Snow Emergency in advance of the expected snowstorm.  The Snow Emergency will be in effect from Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 12 a.m. to Saturday, Feb. 5 at 12:00 p.m. During these times, the City is instructing residents to remove parked vehicles from streets and refrain from parking along street curbs so road crews can effectively clear snow from streets. Residents without a place to park vehicles may use the Consumers Energy Headquarters parking garages for free during the duration of the snow emergency. The garages are located off S. MLK Drive and S. Cooper Street in Downtown Jackson. Drivers are asked to park between floors 2 and 4 in both garages. According to the City’s Snow Emergency Alert Ordinance, a vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense if it prevents the passage of a City salt/plow truck that’s attempting to clear a street. The vehicle owner will also be given a $100 civil infraction fine. The ordinance allows the City Manager to declare a Snow Emergency to assist in street clearing efforts, which are essential to the health and safety of residents during a major snow event.…

(September 7, 2021 10:00 PM) Consumers Energy crews will be working through the night after waves of storms carrying over 60 mph winds swept across Michigan on Tuesday. Over 75,000 homes and businesses were affected. “We are grateful for the patience of our neighbors, from Kalamazoo and Battle Creek to Midland and Saginaw, after these storms knocked over trees and damaged poles and equipment,” said Guy Packard, Consumers Energy’s vice president for electric operations. “Our crews and contractors were prepared for this bad weather. They are already starting to restore power and will be working around the clock.” Storms moved through Michigan, starting in the Traverse City area, starting Tuesday morning and continuing through nightfall. Consumers Energy expects the majority of customers will be restored by Thursday. In Jackson County, as of 10 PM, approximately 700 customers are affected.  To the west, more than 20,000 customers in Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties are without power.  The National Weather Service recorded wind gusts of 39 MPH at Reynolds Field, Jackson County Airport during the strongest storms around 8 PM. DTE Energy is reporting as of 10 PM more than 75,000 of their customers are without power as a result of the storms.…

A fallen tree across roadway took down power lines during storms.  Consumers Energy photo. (August 13, 2021 11:47 AM) Consumers Energy has now restored power to more than 200,000 Michigan homes and businesses following this week’s severe weather, and crews today are continuing their around-the-clock work in communities all over the Lower Peninsula. Consumers Energy aims to restore power to another 100,000 customers through midnight Friday. Most homes and businesses should have power by late Saturday night and almost all restoration work completed by the end of the weekend.  As of 11:45 AM today, there are 20,431 Jackson County customers without power.  The company expects that number will lower more significantly today. “These storms hit Michigan hard, but we are working tirelessly to get our customers back up and running,” said Guy Packard, Consumers Energy’s vice president for electric operations. “We are grateful for our customers’ patience and want them to know we’ll keep working until the power is back on for everyone.” Consumers Energy crews are joined by contractors from across Michigan and seven states, including as far away as Missouri, New York and Tennessee. In all, about 370,000 homes and businesses that Consumers Energy serves lost power at…