Christmas Eve storm could slow holiday travel

LANSING – Those crooning a little Bing Crosby and dreaming of a white Christmas may get more than they bargained for.

Meteorologists with AccuWeather, a private company based in State College, Penn., predict a storm will hit the area on Christmas Eve and likely create major travel delays.

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, however, said different long-range models are predicting different events — ranging from snow showers and windy conditions to significantly less severe weather.

"The potential is there for hazardous travel, but to nail down specifics at this point...would be jumping the gun," said meteorologist Jared Maples.

In a news release, AccuWeather said the storm is forecast to develop over the lower Mississippi Valley on Tuesday and "is likely to strengthen dramatically" as it booms toward the Great Lakes by Christmas Eve.

The release said "a sudden burst of snow and a quick freeze-up" could smack Michigan, along with Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, western Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

"Depending on how much the storm intensifies, gusty winds, with and without snow, will continue and may increase and become very strong over the Midwest on Christmas Day," the release said.