Southeastern Michigan's first big winter storm has dumped more than half a foot of snow, causing widespread accidents and forcing hundreds of flight cancellations or delays at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
The storm also has led Gov. Rick Snyder to delay signing some bills passed in the Legislature's end-of-year session.
The fringe of a winter storm centered farther south pushed into populous metropolitan Detroit on Wednesday afternoon. Snowfalls were already nearing the 7 inches forecast by Wednesday night, with 6.5 inches near Ann Arbor at 8:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service says the snow will taper off Thursday.
Before the storm hit, rock salt and ice scrapers were flying off store shelves at an Aco Hardware store in Southfield as people delayed post-Christmas to prepare for the winter weather.
