Most Southeast Michigan Schools Close, Clawson Remains Open as Wintry Mix Hits

A Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning in southeast Michigan closed schools, made roads slippery and left some without power.

While the rain kept snow levels lower than expected, as much as five inches of wet snow fell in some places. Most of Oakland County received between three and four inches, according to the National Weather Service.

While more than 600 schools in the area closed for the day, Berkley, Clawson and Royal Oak districts remained opened.

Royal Oak Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin said he began checking roads around 4 a.m. and talking to school staff about the roads as well.

"Districts with rural roads often experience very different conditions than a district like Royal Oak...Today was a day when conditions in our part of Oakland County were more similar to those in Macomb County, where just about all of the schools are open," Lewis-Larkin said in an e-mail to Patch.

Clawson Patch readers reported slippery roads during the Tuesday evening commute.

Jill Iannucci Clark posted on the Clawson Patch Facebook Page "took me an hour to get home when it normally takes me 15."

Melissa Raine Kolf posted "Slow from Brighton to Clawson!"

Around 30,000 DTE Energy customers, including 6,000 in Oakland County, are without power after the heavy, wet snow took down power lines, according to the Detroit Free Press. DTE Energy did not have restoration estimates available.

Many communities declared a snow emergency, including Royal Oak and Birmingham.

Snow showers are expected to continue Wednesday with less than an inch of accumulation, according to the National Weather Service. Another inch of snow is possible tonight, along with a half-inch possible on Thursday.