Published: February 17, 2009 03:20 pm      

2:12 pm: 'Significant' storm to impact area

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch to take effect this evening at 7 p.m. through 7 p.m. Thursday.

'Significant' snowfall is expected to affect northern lower Michigan in two waves, the first coming tonight through early Wednesday morning. A second wave of snow is possible after a brief break Wednesday morning. The second snowfall will be accompanied by gusty winds and increasingly colder air, creating blowing and drifting snow with areas of reduced visibilities.

Total snowfall of 6 to 10 inches is possible from tonight through Thursday.

Affected counties are:

Chippewa
Mackinac
Emmet
Cheboygan
Presque Isle
Charlevoix
Leelanau
Antrim
Otsego
Montmorency
Alpena
Benzie
Grand Traverse
Kalkaska
Crawford
Oscoda
Alcona
Manistee
Wexford
Missaukee
Roscommon
Ogemaw
Iosco
Gladwin
Arenac