Updated forecasts could mean even more snow for surrounding area

Depending on which side of the snow fence you woke up on the change in the forecast from last night to this morning either made you considerably happier, or even more determined to hunker down for a lazy Sunday around the house. 

The National Weather Service cancelled a winter storm warning it had issued last night and instead issued a blizzard warning for Monmouth and many of the surrounding counties. The blizzard warning is in effect from 7 a.m. today until 1 p.m. tomorrow. 

Updated forecasts are now calling for anywhere between 12 and 18 inches of snow starting this morning and ending by noon tomorrow. While as of 7 a.m. Howell had yet to see the first flake fall, the brunt of the storm is expected to hit the town this afternoon into tonight.

The change from the winter storm warning to blizzard warnings means blowing and drifting snow that could reduce visibility below one-quarter mile at times. Winds are expected to blow anywhere from 20-to-30 MPH with some of the strongest gusts near 40 MPH.

According to the National Weather Service, the updated forecast is as follows:

Today: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 32. Breezy, with a northeast wind 8 to 11 mph increasing to between 21 and 24 mph. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible. 

Tonight: Periods of snow and widespread blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 22. Windy, with a north wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible. 

Monday: Snow likely before 1pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Windy, with a northwest wind between 24 and 28 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.