A new type of weather warning will be issued for Michigan's most deadly weather situation. This warning is going to only be issued for part of southeast Michigan as an initial test by the National Weather Service.

Snow squalls cause more loss of life in Michigan than any other weather phenomenon. Snow squalls are quick bursts of heavy snow. Road conditions can change very quickly during snow squalls. Most of Michigan's deadly multi-car pileups have been caused by these fast encroaching periods of heavy snow.

Starting January 3, 2018, the National Weather Service in White Lake, MI will issue Snow Squall Warnings for the counties in its responsibility area. This includes the counties labeled just below.

Counties labeled with names will be test counties for the new Snow Squall Warning starting January 3, 2018.

Snow Squall Warnings will be issued for approximately one county in size and last for about one hour. Sara Pampreen, National Weather Service - White Lake, MI meteorologist, says the warnings will be issued for heavy snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mile or less, and the snow is expected to last for 15 minutes or more. Pampreen also says the flash freezing potential of the road surface and rapidly falling temperatures will be conditions factored into the decision for a Snow Squall Warning.

Time of day and traffic volumes will also be taken into account.

A Snow Squall Warning could be issued for a lake effect snow band. These lake effect bands often stretch along I-94, I-96 and I-69 into southeast Lower Michigan.

Snow Squall Warnings will be issued at the time a snow squall is developing, and not hours in advance. Pampreen says a warning will last for one hour to maybe a few hours, depending on the size of the snow squall. Weather radios will sound an alarm when the warning is issued.

This experimental warning will also be issued by six other National Weather Service offices in the U.S. Southeast Michigan will be the only area of Michigan that is tested with this type of warning this winter. The National Weather Service tests new informational products in small areas. If the warnings are found to be valuable, all National Weather Service offices could adopt them next winter.