Incoming storm to bring 6-10 inches of snow

In the middle of a winter that has seen little snowfall, six to 10 inches of snow are expected to fall on the East Lansing area Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon.

The storm, which is forecasted to start at 7 a.m. Tuesday, will be heaviest Tuesday night. Snow is expected to fall up to one to two inches per hour.

“(The storm will be) diminishing between rush hour Wednesday morning and won’t end until Wednesday afternoon,” said Nathan Jeruzal a meterologist for the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. “That’s going to be when it’s toughest for students to go to all of their classes (on Wednesday morning).”

Jeruzal said some isolated places hit by the storm area will get 12 inches of snow.

Ian Drew, a telecommunication, information studies and media senior, said the storm might deter him from attending class.

“In the morning, I have a 9 a.m. class so with snow that much, I might just stay in bed,” Drew said. “I live over on Burcham (Drive) so it’s a good 15, 20 minute walk.”

According to weather.gov, Tuesday night will bring sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph. Thirty mph gusts, causing blowing and drifting snow, will continue into Wednesday.

For Bill Conklin, managing director of the Ingham County Road Commission, the storm warning means preparing early.

“We load up our trucks with salt and make sure they’re in good running condition,” Conklin said.

David Young, chief meteorologist for WLNS, said this kind of storm is when Michigan sees most of its snowfall. He said he thinks the snow from the storm will slow down transportation services.

“Will it be a big inconvenience for people? Well, sure,” Young said. “But it won’t shut anything down for more than a couple days.”

Young said total snowfall is down almost three feet from last winter.

“We’re way, way behind where we were last year,” Young said.

Young thought the rest of the winter could bring similar conditions to Tuesday’s potential snowfall.

“I think we’re going to be above normal for the rest of the winter,” Young said.

According to the National Weather Service, accumulating amounts of snowfall might lead to dangerous travel conditions and poor road conditions.

The National Weather Service said road conditions are expected to become dangerous Tuesday night.

Staff writers Kate Jacobson and Andrew Krietz contributed to this report.