TRAVERSE CITY -- Plan on a sloppy Thanksgiving holiday.
Rain, snow and freezing temperatures are in the forecast for northwestern Lower Michigan today and Friday. Meanwhile, police and road officials geared for heavy traffic on area roads, as residents travel back-and-forth to gatherings with family and friends.
Today will be "pretty crummy," said Dave Lawrence, meteorologist at the National Weather Service station in Gaylord.
"It won't be ridiculously cold, but pretty rainy," he said.
The forecast calls for steady, light rain all day today with temperatures in the mid- to upper-40s. Temperatures will fall throughout the day, but won't reach freezing until overnight when snow showers could begin, Lawrence said.
Friday will be cloudy and breezy with light snow flurries. The high temperature is expected around 40 degrees and overnight the mercury will plummet into the 20s, Lawrence said.
Motorists should keep that weather forecast in mind as they hit the roads for the holiday, said Michigan State Police Sgt. Michael VanHorn, from the Kalkaska post.
VanHorn said accidents often are caused by drivers speeding and following too closely. Also, using cruise control during rainy and snowy weather is not advised because vehicles will resume set speed rates, even if it's already hydroplaned and spun out of control, he said.
"Just the action of taking your foot off the gas is enough to prevent you from losing control," VanHorn said.
Road conditions in Grand Traverse County should remain good, said Jim Valade, maintenance supervisor for the county's Road Commission.
Round-the-clock road patrols will monitor state highway conditions and additional plow truck drivers will be called in, if necessary, he said.
"Another thing to save us is the roads aren't frozen, so as it comes down, it should melt," Valade said.
The sun is expected to make an appearance on Saturday, when high temperatures are expected around 45 degrees, Lawrence said.
Saturday night will bring clouds and more rain, conditions that will continue into Sunday. Temperatures will plunge again Sunday night and bring a chance for more snow showers, Lawrence said.
