A strengthening area of low pressure will move across Northern Indiana and Ohio tonight which will place a band of heavy snow across Southern Lower Michigan. The snow will break out in southwest Lower Michigan this evening and overspread much of southern Lower Michigan by 1 a.m. Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly overnight as the snow makes for limited visibilities and snow covered and slippery roads. If traveling tonight use extra caution and allow extra time to reach your destination. Six to 12 inches of snow will be possible along and south of a line from Saugatuck to Alma. Additional significant snow is expected for lakeshore areas Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon, especially south of Holland along and near the lake.

(Courtesy National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service has posted a heavy snow warning for Clare, Isabella and Montcalm counties, and a snow advisory for Gratiot County, until 11 p.m..
Snow accumulation of 5 to 7 inches by midnight is expected north of a Holland-to-Mt. Pleasant line, which includes the counties in the warning area.
About 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected south of that line, in the advisory area that includes Gratiot County
Forecasters say the snow will continue through the evening hours, varying in intensity.
At times the snow will be heavy, with visibilities falling to as low as a quarter-mile in falling snow.
Snowfall totals in the warning area are expected to be in the 5- to 7-inch range by midnight.
The low pressure system causing the snowfall was centered near Chicago late Friday. The low is expected to continue northeast through central Michigan and out over Lake Huron overnight.
Heavy snow will continue as the low moves through.

AAA Ski Report
Slopes are in great shape for the holiday break. AAA advises skiers and snowboarders to call ahead to their favorite ski destination to verify holiday hours before heading out.

XC = Cross country conditions available. Snow base is listed in inches.

NORTHEAST/CENTRAL: RUNS LIFTS SNOWBASE
Snowsnake, Harrison 6 2 Up to 24”
Tube hill open 12-5 p.m.

Treetops Resort, Gaylord 4 4 12 to 32”
Open 9 am to 9 pm thru Dec. 31st

Hanson Hills, Grayling 7 4 16”
XC-Open

EAST/CENTRAL: RUNS LIFTS SNOWBASE
Apple Mountain, Freeland 12 5 25 to 32”
Open 10 am to 9 pm

NORTHWEST: RUNS LIFTS SNOWBASE
Shanty Creek, Bellaire 37 (100%) 5 Up to 50”
Open Fri-Sat 9 am to 10 pm Packed powder

Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs 51 (100%) 8 Up to 50”
Tubing Park - Open 1-8 p.m. Groomed/Packed powder
XC-40km – Open

Boyne Mtn., Boyne Falls 48 (100%) 11 Up to 40”
XC-20km - Open Groomed/Packed powder
Terrain Park - Open

Crystal Mtn., Thompsonville
Open daily 9 am to 9 pm 43 7 Up to 70”
XC groomed Machine groomed

Nub’s Nob, Harbor Springs 53 (100%) 9 Up to 70”
Terrain Park – Open Machine groomed
Superpipe open and freshly cut

Caberfae Peaks, Cadillac 27 5 Up to 70”
Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. thru December 31 Machine groomed

Mt. Holiday, Traverse City Up to 12 All n/a
Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Open Sat & Sun 10 am to 9 pm
Tubing open 5-7 pm

The Homestead, Glen Arbor 12 5 Up to 24”
Groomed

XC Ski Headquarters, Roscommon XC conditions are very good with up to 12 inches of snow in the wooded area, and up to six inches on the ski trails.

WEST/CENTRAL: RUNS LIFTS SNOWBASE
Cannonsburg Ski Area, Cannonsburg All All Up to 36”
Open today 9 am to 10 pm Groomed
Tubing – Open

Pando Winter Sports Park, Rockford 6 4 12 to 24”
XC - Open Groomed
Tubing Mon-Fri 5-10 pm
Terrain Park - open
Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. thru Jan. 6

Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl, Grand Haven 2 2 Up to 30”
Open 11 am to 6 pm Machine groomed

SOUTHEAST: RUNS LIFTS SNOWBASE
Mt. Holly, Holly 18 (100%) Up to 13 Up to 36”
Machine groomed

Pine Knob, Clarkston All Up to 10 Up to 46”
Two Terrain Parks Open Machine groomed
Packed powder

Mt. Brighton, Brighton 15 3 Up to 28”
Groomed

Alpine Valley, White Lake Up to 20 Up to 9 Up to 34”
Groomed

SOUTHWEST: RUNS LIFTS SNOWBASE
Bittersweet Ski Resort, Otsego 14 6 Up to 32”
Groomed

Swiss Valley Ski Area, Jones All As needed Up to 24”
Open 9 am to 10 pm Groomed
Terrain Park - Open

Timber Ridge Ski Area, Gobles 7 4 Up to 28”
Terrain Park – Open Groomed

UPPER PENINSULA: RUNS LIFTS SNOWBASE
Ski Brule, Iron River 17(100%) 9 45 to 65”
NASTAR racing daily Power tilled/groomed
Whitewater tubing open 1-3 p.m.

Marquette Mtn., Marquette 12 2 18 to 36”
Fun Park - Open

Indianhead Mtn., Wakefield 29 6 Up to 50”
Machine groomed

Big Powderhorn Mtn., Bessemer 33 6 Up to 44”
New Year’s Eve - Fireworks Powder/Packed powder/
XC-17km Machine groomed
Powderkeg Park open for snowboarders

Blackjack Ski Resort, Bessemer 20 (100%) 4 Up to 46”
Open 9 am to 4 pm Packed powder/machine
Half pipe and terrain park – Open groomed

Mt. Bohemia, Lac La Belle 70 2 Up to 20”

Pine Mtn., Iron Mountain 20 4 18 to 36”
Terrain park 95% open

Porcupine Mountain, Ontonagon 12 1 Up to 15"

Norway Mountain 14 5 24 to 38”
Open Sun-Fri 9 am to 4pm Packed powder
Open Sat 8:30 am to 4 pm
Terrain Park Open

ABR Trails, Ironwood
Open daily 9 am until dark Excellent early season conditions exist with 22-26 inches or more of snow in the wooded area, and up to twelve inches on the ski trails. Trails have no bare spots, deep classic tracks and plenty of deep white snow.

Remember: To dress in layers to stay warm while out on the slopes.
To hear the latest statewide ski conditions provided by AAA Michigan, call Travel Michigan at 888-78-GREAT.
Before heading to your ski destination visit www.AAAtraffic.com for the latest road and weather conditions.

FINAL: PURDUE 51, Central Michigan 48

Purdue kicker Chirs Summers kicks the game-winning 40-yard field goal as time expires in the Motor City Bowl college football game, lifting Purdue to a 51-48 win over Central Michigan in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)


Summers (13) is lifted by teammate guard Justin Pierce (72) after his game-winning field goal with 2 seconds left on the clock to defeat Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. In the foreground is Central Michigan defensive back Eric Fraser (12). Purdue won 51-48. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)


Summers, center, celebrates in the arms of defensive end Cliff Avril (32) and guard Justin Pierce (72). (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)


Central Michigan defensive back Eric Fraser (12) walks away as Summers (13) celebrates his 40-yard field goal that beat CMU 51-48 as time ran out. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)


Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour, center, is stopped by Purdue safety Justin Scott (23) and linebacker Dan Bick (36) during the second quarter of the Motor City Bowl. LeFevour threw for 293 yards and four scores, and ran for 114 yards and two TDs. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)


Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter looks downfield during the second quarter of the Motor City Bowl. Painter threw for a school-record 546 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Boilermakers build three 21-point leads and set up the winning kick.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)


Purdue receiver Desmond Tardy (6) breaks away from Central Michigan defensive backs E.J. McLaughlin (24) and Eric Fraser (12) during the second quarter of the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)


McLaughlin (24) closes in on Purdue wide receiver Dorien Bryant (9) on a 35-yard punt return in the first quarter of the Motor City Bowl. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)


Purdue wide receiver Greg Orton (21) celebrates his 29-yard touchdown reception with running back Kory Sheets (24) in the first quarter of the Motor City Bowl football game against Central Michigan. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)


Purdue running back Jaycen Taylor, top, is pulled down by Central Michigan defensive back Chaz West during the second quarter of the Motor City Bowl. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Another winter storm will be possible on Friday. This system will move out of the southern Plains and reach the Great Lakes on Friday. On its present forecast track, portions of southwest Lower Michigan could receive significant snow accumulations. The storm is expected to move from the southwest corner of the state to the Thumb late on Friday. This would favor heavy snow over west central Lower Michigan, while south central Lower Michigan would receive a rain and snow mixture. A slight change in the path of the storm will impact the forecast, so stay posted to the latest forecasts.
(Courtesy National Weather Service Grand Rapids)

Yesterday's winter storm will move east into Canada today. As this system departs winds will diminish through the morning.
Some areas of freezing drizzle will be left behind over lower Michigan this morning. This precipitation will cause slippery roads and sidewalks. Caution is advised.
The freezing drizzle is expected to end by early this afternoon. Quiet weather will usher in Santa Claus later tonight.
The weather will remain calm into Christmas Day.
(Courtesy National Weather Service)

An intense winter storm will continue overnight. Strong winds and moderate to heavy snow will combine for near blizzard like conditions. Temperatures will remain around 20 degrees with wind chills in the single digits to around zero. Roads will be treacherous. Snowfall will range from an inch around Jackson County up to 8 inches in west central Lower Michigan by the time the storm winds down on Monday.
Strong, westerly winds will create areas of blowing and drifting snow, especially in open country.
Near-blizzard conditions will occur at times, with visibilities dropping to less than a quarter of a mile.

(Courtesy National Weather Service Grand Rapids office)

Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton (32) drives into Houston Rockets guard Luther Head (2). Hamilton scored 17 points to lead the Pistons to a 94-82 win Sunday night. Detroit (20-7) has won five straight and 12 of 14, and joins Boston as the only teams with 20 victories. Houston has lost four of its last five.



Houston Rockets guard Rafer Alston (12) leaps between Detroit Pistons' Antonio McDyess, left, and Rasheed Wallace during the first half. McDyess and Rasheed Wallace added double-doubles, helping the Detroit Pistons beat the shorthanded Houston Rockets.



The Rockets started the night near full strength, but their two stars both left with injuries. Yao Ming missed most of the second half after needing four stitches to close a facial cut. Tracy McGrady didn't come out for the second half after aggravating a sore knee.



McDyess drives to the basket during the second half. He finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds - his fifth straight game with at least 10 rebounds - and Wallace had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jason Maxiell had 14 points off the bench for Detroit. The Pistons led by 20 early in the fourth quarter, and Houston never threatened to get back into the game.

Detroit Lions' Casey FitzSimmons, left, blocks a punt by Kansas City Chiefs' Dustin Colquitt that resulted in a safety for Detroit during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in Detroit. The Lions won 25-20, and it was ugly. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Julian H. Gonzalez)
Perhaps that was fitting for two teams that combined for a 13-game losing streak. The Detroit Lions, though, are not in the position to get picky. T.J. Duckett ran for a season-high 102 yards and a touchdown.



Detroit Lions' Boss Bailey (97) and Ernie Sims make the tackle against Kansas City Chiefs' Jason Dunn during the fourth quarter. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Kirthmon F. Dozier)
Detroit led 19-0 early in the second quarter before Kansas City suddenly showed a pulse when quarterback Brodie Croyle was injured and replaced by Damon Huard. Playing for the first time since Week 11, Huard efficiently led 80- and 77-yard drives toward the end of the first half to pull the Chiefs within five points.
Huard's 34-yard pass - on a rope - to Dwayne Bowe in the end zone converted a fourth down and made it 22-20 early in the fourth. It snapped a six-game scoreless streak in the fourth quarter. The 2-point conversion failed.
Then, the Lions struggled to put Kansas City away.
After Jason Hanson kicked his third field goal with 43 seconds left, the Chiefs got the ball back one more time with a chance to score a go-ahead TD.


Kansas City's final drive started at its 17 with 39 seconds left, and Parker ended any chance for a remarkable game-ending play by going to the turf with no time on the clock. He could only laugh.(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit's Jon Kitna threw just 16 passes for 115 yards and an interception.

The Sacred Heart boys varsity team soundly defeated Pine River on Monday night.

These 9 shots will also be for sale through MyCapture.

Snow will continue to be heavy at times through Sunday morning.


Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected Southeast of a line from Muskegon to Harrison by Sunday afternoon. 3 to 6 inches are expected Northwest of the line. North to Northeast winds will increase overnight tonight, and produce significant blowing and drifting snow. Near-blizzard conditions are expected on Sunday and visibilities will be reduced to near zero at times.

Michigan guard Kelvin Grady (44) passes the ball over Central Michigan guard Giordan Watson, who scored 22 points to lead the Chippewas to a 78-67 win over the Wolverines on Saturday at Crisler Arena.


Central Michigan forward Marcus Van (40) and guard Reynold Walters (4) double-teams Michigan guard Manny Harris. From the start, there was no mistaking Central Michigan's defensive intentions. The Chippewas' tenacious, in-your-face style forced 23 turnovers and took Michigan's young, struggling offense out of rhythm.
Aggressive defense "is what we do," Central Michigan coach Ernie Zeigler said. "Have we been doing it all nine games? No. But that is definitely a staple of what I was trying to establish when I got this job."


Harris (3) dunks the ball with 3:45 remaining in the first half, ending a nearly eight minute stretch of the first half when Michigan failed to score. Central Michigan finished the half on a 15-9 run, laying the foundation for a strong second half when the Chippewas continued to dictate the game's tempo.


Michigan forward Ekpe Udoh (22) defends Giordan Watson, bottom. The win was Central Michigan's first over Michigan since 2002. Central Michigan (4-5) led by double figures for most of the second half, led by an offense that included three scorers in double figures.


Central Michigan guard Jeremy Allen, front left, and Harris, front right, watch the ball fall out of bounds. Allen and Nate Minnoy both contributed 11 points for CMU. Harris scored 12 for the Wolverines.


Watson (11) battles Michigan guard Kelvin Grady (44), who scored 11 points to go along with DeShawn Sims' team-high 17. Grady brought Michigan (4-7) to within 69-61 with 2:58 remaining before the Chippewas hit eight of nine free throws.



First-year coach John Beilein, right, argues a call with a referee in the second half. Central Michigan's defense kept Michigan from ever establishing itself from the perimeter, from where the Wolverines attempted only eight 3-pointers - usually a staple of Beilein's offense."They just took all those types of looks away from us - they did a great job defensively," Beilein said. "We realized it was going to be a hard, pressured defense, but we have to keep working on making pretty simple plays."


Sims (34) defends Allen. Despite its turnover troubles, Michigan got within 44-42 after Sims hit a 3-pointer with 13:52 remaining. But the Chippewas scored 12 of the next 13, finishing the game by hitting 51.7 percent of their shots.


Michigan forward Ron Coleman (24) defends against Watson (11).


Watson (11) is congratulated by teammates. "It's just all about us battling and us being tough and taking pride in doing the little things," Zeigler said.
(AP Photos by Tony Ding)

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.

10 Photos from the Clare Varsity boy's basketball game on Thursday.

All of these photos will be for sale through MyCapturePhotos.