Michigan is on the Edge of a Major Winter Storm – What to Know
This winter has been mild, but that could change very soon. A major winter storm is brewing for parts of the Northeast and East Coast. It looks to be a doozy. I’ve been loving the warm winter weather, so I’m not happy about this potential storm. But, the good news, Michigan friends, is that it appears we might just miss the worst of this storm. Let’s dig a bit deeper, as Michigan is on the edge of a major winter storm for this weekend.
Right now, according to Weather.com, the upcoming storm appears to be on track to significantly impact Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; and New York City. However, other areas are also on track to be part of the storm. This could actually be the biggest winter storm in those areas in two years. The storm would run from Saturday (Jan. 6) through Monday (Jan. 8) and hit pretty much everyone in the Northeast, New England and mid-Atlantic.
While it appears very probable that a significant storm is coming, it’s too soon to predict exactly where it will fall and snowfall totals. Moreover, what could really change things is if temperatures are just a bit too warm for snow to either form or stick. It’s possible that show falling overnight could melt by midday. It could also be a mix of rain and snow, as well as ice. Of course, ice is terrible for driving. So, this storm would still have significant impacts, even if the snow totals aren’t super high.
Current projections from Weather.com have the most snow falling north and west of the I-95 corridor, with the corridor serving as a divider between rain and snow. So, if you’re located north and west of the I-95 corridor, you’re more likely to see snow. But, if you’re south or east, you’re looking at lighter snow or a mix or rain and snow.
As for Michigan, Detroit and Southeast Michigan appear to be on the very northern edge of this snow system. Radar shows the blue line indicating show tapering off as it gets north of Detroit, but the Sunday radar does show blue throughout the state. While we look to be in the clear, if the system moves north, even just a little, much of lower Michigan could be more severely impacted. There’s also talk on Weather.com of snow early next week in the area, not attached to this story. Right now, it looks light, but we’ll keep you posted all around.
Michigan Laws Going Into Effect in 2024: Guns, Minimum Wage and More
Minimum wage
Beginning on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, the state of Michigan’s minimum wage will increase from $10.10 to $10.33. This change is thanks to Michigan’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act of 2018. That law resulted in an annual schedule of increases.
(Photo Illustration by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Prevailing Wage Act
This year, Gov. Whitmer signed a bill restoring a prevailing wage act. This bill means that Michigan-hired contractors are required to pay their employees at the union level.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Teens in Michigan can pre-register to vote
Now, 16-year-old high school students in Michigan are able to pre-register to vote. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says, “This new law helps us prepare the next generation of voters to inherit their democracy, bolstering our state’s commitment to engaging young people, educating them about the democratic process, and getting them ready to cast a ballot once they turn 18.”
Teens can pre-register to vote. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
No more "right-to-work"
Michigan’s right-to-work law is being repealed. The state’s “right-to-work” law was passed over a decade ago. Michigan’s “right-to-work” law had enabled workers in union settings to choose not to pay union dues and fees.
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Expanded Elliot-Larsen Act
Earlier this year, Whitmer signed an expansion of the Elliot-Larsen Act. The act includes protection for those who are discriminated against due to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. That’s includes those in the LGBTQ+ community.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
No more third-grade reading law
Michigan’s third-grade reading law has been repealed. The original 2016 law made schools identify students who were struggling in reading and writing and hold them back a year if they were more than one grade level behind. Now, that requirement has lifted.
(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Michigan gun laws
New gun laws are here, and these were introduced into Lansing following the tragic shooting at Michigan State University. The House and Senate passed these bills, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed them. The new laws require safe storage (gun owners must lock their weapons away, if a minor is expected to be in the home), background checks (mandatory, no matter how you’re buying a firearm) and “red flag” (to cut down on possible violence for those who may have mental health problems or have threatened others).
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Clean Energy & Climate Action Package
Gov. Whitmer recently signed the Clean Energy & Climate Action Package, with a plan to have Michigan 100% clean energy by 2040. If all goes as planned, the state will produce 100% of its energy from clean sources by 2024.
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
