ESCANABA — A storm system hitting the area today and tomorrow threatens to hinder travel and potentially cause power outages, according to weather statements from the National Weather Service’s Marquette office.

Heavy snow and light freezing rain are expected, which could cause icing and slippery road conditions. As the system progresses, the rain/snow mix will transition to heavy, wet snow that will accumulate. Snow accumulations of 4 to 12 inches are expected in most areas of the Central and Eastern Upper Peninsula. Isolated areas in higher terrain areas of Marquette and Baraga counties could see up to 15 inches.

In Delta County, rain is expected before 2 p.m., which will transition to a rain-snow mix. Thunder is possible during this time of the storm. The snow-rain mix, will continue after 2 p.m. and into the evening hours before transitioning to patchy and blowing snow after 11 p.m.

Snow showers are likely to continue Thursday, but are expected mostly before 8 a.m. Temperatures Thursday will rise to a high near 38 degrees.

The worst driving conditions are expected to begin this afternoon across the Central and Eastern Upper Peninsula. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility, and the National Weather Service says “travel could be very difficult to impossible” during the storm.

A second band of rain and snow is anticipated to hit Delta County Friday night, when Friday’s near-50-degree highs will give way to rain around 8 p.m. and possible snow showers starting around 2 a.m. Saturday morning. The National Weather Service has not issued any weather statements, watches or warnings that specifically address conditions after Thursday, but the periods of snow showers broken with above-freezing temperatures are expected off and on through Monday.