Plowing limited to highways, primaries; sheriff says stay off roads

People are being asked to stay off the roads and are being encouraged to stay indoors as Mason County and surrounding areas are under a winter storm warning with near-blizzard conditions.

The Mason County Road Commission, Ludington Department of Public Works and Scottville Department of Public Works are limiting snow plowing to only state highways and primary roads and streets.

Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole is asking drivers to stay off the roads except for emergencies.

Drifting and blowing snow is causing near white out conditions. Several traffic crashes have been reported throughout the day including a five vehicle crash involving a jack-knifed semi on Free Soil Road near Darr Road. No injuries resulted.

A winter storm warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday. Winds will continue to gust over 40 mph with the strongest winds along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Snow is expected to spread east this evening. The heaviest periods of snowfall are expected between 7 p.m. tonight and 5 a.m. Saturday with 1 to 2 inches per hour possible. Blowing and drifting snow will continue through most of the night.

Current temperature is 17 degrees in Ludington and Scottville. Winds are from the southwest at 35 to 50 mph.

Tomorrow: Windy with occasional snow showers. Wind chills may approach -10 F with a morning high of 17 F. Temperatures are expected to drop into single digits. Winds, northwest at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow, 60%. 

The outdoor report for Mason County is sponsored by Superior Electric of Ludington: 231-845-0126; www.supelectric.com.