Lincoln declares snow emergency in advance of expected storm

The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches for the entire listening area, effective 9am Monday until 6pm Tuesday.

But the weather may also be spiteful, as the National Weather Service is predicting a 60 percent chance of snow and sleet on Monday night into Tuesday. Significant snowfall and high winds are expected beginning early Monday morning. The freezing rain continues Monday evening before temperatures slowly climb above freezing overnight Monday.

The Winter Storm also brings with it very windy conditions as they shift out of the East/Northeast at 15-25 miles per hour with gusts up to 40-50 miles per hour for the Lower Peninsula.

As the atmosphere warms above our heads, the snow will mix and change to sleet.

Bearse says the snow will be heavy at times and accompanied by strong winds. The Tuesday morning commute is expected to be hazardous.

Travel will be extremely hard, if not impossible.

After a few inches of snow Monday night into Tuesday night, the snow is expected to turn into rain on Wednesday, with temperatures rising to the upper 30s to lower 40s. With the winds blowing the snow around in addition fast precipitation rates, all roads will be unsafe even with plows out in full force.

If the storm pulls in colder air from the north, snow totals could range from only 2 inches near Lake Michigan, to as much as 9 inches in the far northern portion of our viewing area. Counties along and north of I-80 could see between 1-2 inches of snow and sleet. A high temperature near 49 and low around 36 are predicted.

“Freezing rain is definitely more risky than a wintery mix considering freezing rain freezes right on the surfaces”, she said.

Wed: High: 29 Low: 14 Mostly cloudy.