The snow has already started to fall across the Mitten, and the worst of the storm and following cold weather is yet to come.

The State of Michigan announced Monday, January 28, that state offices would be closed across the lower peninsula due to the coming snow storm. County offices across the state followed suit to also close their offices early.

By noon Monday, MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa said the southwest corner of Michigan could have between four to six inches of snow. The southeast side of the state will see less snow by noon with less than an inch.

The southeast isn’t out of the woods though, as Torregrossa says rush hour will see dangerous driving conditions. This also goes for the rest of Lower Michigan. Many areas will have more than six inches of snow by 5 p.m.

Torregrossa said by 11 p.m. Monday things will start to slow down, leaving the west side of the state, the Saginaw Valley, the thumb, and northeast Lower Michigan with between six to 10 inches of snow. The far southeast, which includes Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Jackson, will get between three and six inches of snow.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Warning for Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, and Lapeer counties that is in effect until midnight. The NWS said these areas could expect heavy snow with accumulations reaching seven to 11 inches accompanied by significant blowing and drifting.

There will be periods of snowfall rates between one to two inches per hour between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the NWS.

This blowing snow will also make for hazardous and in some instances impossible driving conditions, according to NWS. They recommend those who need to travel to take their time, and also keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their vehicles in case of an emergency.

Temperatures will continue to plummet Monday, with some snow squalls possible along the I-94 and I-69 corridors through the mid-week bringing the potential for several more inches of snow. Extremely cold weather is in the forecast this week as an Arctic airmass settles over the state and brings record cold with it.

On Tuesday, temperatures will drop below zero and won’t rise above that point until Thursday.

The wind chill values will range between -20 and -35 degrees during this time.

This time of year it is important to keep pets inside, check on elderly neighbors, and make sure you are prepared to hunker down for a few days.