The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Gratiot and Montcalm counties as a strong winter storm is expected to come roaring off the Great Plains.

Light snow will begin this afternoon and become heavy tonight. The storm will bring the heaviest snow to southeast Lower Michigan, where storm total snowfall could approach a foot in Jackson. Strong winds will produce blowing and drifting of snow on Sunday morning, with near blizzard conditions possible.
Winds are expected out of the north with gusts up to 38 mph, making travel tricky, especially on east-west roads.
Conditions will begin to improve Sunday night.