Metro Detroit braces for winter storm

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - Preparations are underway in metro Detroit as we brace for the big snow coming Wednesday and Thursday. The snow began falling this morning and will continue to fall throughout the day and overnight, but, depending on the temperature where you live, you may see some rainy patches this afternoon, too. You can read more about the forecast from our FOX 2 Weather Authorities here.

Meanwhile, counties are preparing their salt and plow crews. Oakland County has 40 tons of salt ready to hit the roads.

"[If we have] some rains and ground temperatures are up, we won't need to salt right away, so we'll keep an eye on that. When it starts switching over to slush and snow we'll get an application of salt down, and then if we start getting a large amount of snow it'll be more of a plowing process," says Matt Mountain, supervisor at the Oakland County Road Commission's Southfield garage.

"Mechanics have been working for days now trying to make sure all the equipment is up and running, it's all in good shape. Over the last couple days, we've contacted all of our contract companies that we have on standby, letting them know we may well be calling them in during the day today. So we are ready to roll," says Craig Bryson of the Oakland County Road Commission.

In Oakland County, 106 trucks are out right now, with the same type of brigade in Wayne, Macomb and Washtenaw.

Since the rest of the winter was so light, supplies of salt won't be an issue. Workers at the salt garages, though, are getting ready for a very long day.

Stay with FOX 2 as this forecast continues to develop.