The agency forecasts snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches during this time for areas above 6,000 feet, while areas over 4,000 feet should expect 3 to 6 inches. On Saturday, wind gusts could reach 50 miles per hour in speed, with travel becoming "very difficult to impossible."

The National Weather Service has simplified some of its winter weather alerts for Wind Chill and Extreme Cold Warnings.

The National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning at 10:38 p.m. EST on Tuesday valid from Wednesday 7 a.m. EST until Thursday 1 a.m. EST for Leelanau, Benzie and Manistee counties.

The forecast doubled the amount of snow expected in the Columbia area, as up to 2 inches of the white stuff is now forecast to accumulate, according to the warning. Between 2-3 inches of snowfall is possible in the southern reaches of the Midlands, meteorologists said in the briefing. Localized amounts in other areas could be higher.

On Monday at 2:03 p.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning valid from Tuesday 6 a.m. until Wednesday 6 a.m. for Lowndes, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Russell, Pike and Barbour counties.

EST the National Weather Service issued an updated winter storm warning in effect until Thursday at 10 a.m. EST for Mason, Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

A winter weather advisory has been issued fro for Wayne and Northern Cayuga counties until midnight Friday, with 3 to 6 inches of additional snow accumulation expected. Winter wea

On Friday at 3:41 a.m. an updated winter weather advisory was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until noon. The advisory is for Helena Valley, Meagher County Valleys,