(2/7/2019) - Many Mid-Michigan schools have only had classes twice since Jan. 25.
Students might get yet another day off Friday, as continued freezing rain to the north and a flash freeze to the south could make roadways slippery in the morning.
Freezing rain was continuing to fall in the northern part of Mid-Michigan on Thursday afternoon and starting to melt around the I-69 corridor, where temperatures were warming above the freezing mark.
Temperatures were expected to reach the 40s in the Flint area north to the Tri-Cities on Thursday afternoon. But overnight, temperatures were forecast to tumble quickly.
A flash freeze is likely before daybreak on Friday after temperatures fall from the 40s to the 20s in an hour or two. Any puddles or wet roads that don't dry by then likely will freeze over, creating ideal conditions for black ice.
At the same time, winds will pick up through the day on Thursday and begin gusting up to 50 mph Thursday night. Trees and power lines coated in ice will be at higher risk of falling with the strong winds.
Temperatures on Friday will start in the 20s and fall through the day. By Friday evening, actual temperatures should be in the teens with wind chills of -10 degrees or colder in much of Mid-Michigan.
Better weather is forecast for the weekend, with mostly sunny skies on Saturday and high temperatures in the mid-20s. Light snow returns for Sunday with highs in the 20s.