NORTHERN MICHIGAN -- Northern Michigan is getting off to a snowy, windy start to 2012, which is a delight for snow enthusiasts and plow company owners, but not welcomed by those with travels.  Blizzard warnings, winter storm warnings, and winter weather advisories are covering our area right now, and are not expected to expire until Monday evening. The highest snow totals we could find so far were at Elmira, in Otsego County where 13" of snow has been reported into the 7&4 Storm Team Forecast Center. Gaylord was close to 10" with 8" at Baldwin in Lake County and 7" reported at Newberry in Luce County.

Northwest winds will remain quite brisk and we could see gusts up to 50-mph in some areas, mainly along the Lake Michigan shoreline. They will calm down come Tuesday. Scattered snow showers will reach everyone, and those areas in the lake effect snow belts will receive the heaviest snowfall. If you do not need to leave your house, please remain there. Falling and blowing snow will greatly reduce visibility, and accumulations will also make travel difficult. Expect cold overnight lows Monday into Tuesday also, down in the single digits, with many locations seeing wind chills below zero.

The blizzard warning is in effect until 7pm Monday, and includes the counties of Charlevoix, Leelanau, Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Manistee. Those areas will see heavier snow, and parts of Charlevoix, Antrim, and Leelanau counties may receive over one foot of snow by Monday afternoon. With winds of 20-30mph, gusts up to 50mph possible, blowing and drifting snow will be widespread. As is the nature of lake effect snowfall, inland areas not favored by wind direction will see less than an inch of snowfall.

Stay safe and use caution if you must be on the roads!