Michigan Travel Will Be ‘Impossible’ in These Areas Due to Storm

Why couldn't the snowstorm have waited until after the holidays? This weekend is one of the busiest for travel the entire year, and now, it will be hampered with a major snowstorm across much of the Midwest and across the U.S.

According to AccuWeather.com, there's even a 16% chance of Mid-Michigan (the Lansing, Flint and Jackson areas) of getting up to 18 inches of snow. Those kind of totals are usually reserved for the Upper Peninsula. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service is in, and the NWS along with the Michigan State Police are urging people to get their errands done on Thursday.

Specifically, in Reed City, Clare, Big Rapids, Mount Pleasant, Greenville, Alma, Ionia, St. Johns, Charlotte, Lansing, Battle Creek and Jackson, the NWS says that from 4 p.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Saturday, "Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will mainly impact Friday and Saturday travel. Power outages are possible." They add, "While the snow will start by mid afternoon on Thursday, the strong winds will not start until Friday morning. It is then that conditions will become dangerous due to low wind chills, blowing snow, and very low visibilities. Power outages are possible."

In Ann Arbor, Detroit, Adrian, and Monroe, the NWS says that from 7 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Saturday, "Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and produce sporadic power outages. Wind chills of 15 below zero will also produce dangerously cold conditions."

On the west side of the state, in Ludington, Baldwin, Hart, Fremont, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Jenison, Grand Rapids, Holland, Hastings, South Haven and Kalamazoo, expect total snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches. Is it spring yet?

Michigan is on target to get a massive snowstorm this holiday weekend, so your holiday plans may change. If so, you might find yourself looking for Christmas dinner on Sunday. Thankfully, some restaurants are open on Christmas Day.

One of my favorite Christmas memories was actually having Christmas brunch at an IHOP in Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the ice storm of 2013. As the story goes, the power was out for several days, and it was freezing. My family and I stayed with some family who somehow had power a few days before Christmas. Then, closer to Christmas, we went to Grand Rapids, where the entire city had power. Since a "normal" Christmas wasn't possible, we went to IHOP on Christmas day, and it was so fun. I don't eat traditional Christmas food, since I'm a vegetarian, so I was in heaven eating chocolate-chip pancakes for Christmas brunch.

Read on for 10 restaurants that are open on Christmas Day. Call ahead first, since some locations may have different hours and days they're open.

This one surprises me. I had no idea that Applebee's was open on Christmas Day. Apparently, select locations are open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you need to check with your local restaurant.

https://restaurants.applebees.com/en-us/

Oh, the Red Lobster biscuits are so good. Yes, they are perfect for Christmas. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Select Red Lobster restaurants are open on Christmas Day. Find the full list of open ones and their hours here.

https://www.redlobster.com/

Waffle House is always open! Seriously, they have a 24/7/365 policy that makes them a favorite for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Who doesn't love the idea of fresh, sweet waffles on Christmas? I'm in.

https://locations.wafflehouse.com/

The Golden Arches to the rescue! Many McDonald’s locations will be open on Christmas Day. Since it's different for corporate verses franchise locations, check with your local restaurant. I would totally stop there to get a milkshake on Christmas. Peppermint, please?

https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/restaurant-locator.html

I already shared my IHOP story. My favorite Christmas ever was spent at an IHOP with my family. It was an emergency situation, but I loved it. IHOP is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But, as always, double check the hours at your local location.

https://www.ihop.com/en/restaurants

Denny's restaurants are open every day of the year, so that means they're a hot spot on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours may vary, so check your local location. Also, if you'd rather eat at home, Denny's has Turkey Packs that you can order and take home.

https://locations.dennys.com/search.html

Feel like eating Chinese food on Christmas? Many Panda Express locations will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Why not switch it up this year and go Chinese? Hours vary, so call you local location to make sure they're open.

https://www.pandaexpress.com/userlocation

Boston Market serves up the kind of traditional Christmas food that people know and love. Many locations for the restaurant are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They also have their annual "heat-and-serve dinners." Check with your local restaurant for the details.

https://www.bostonmarket.com/location/search

If you've been up all night partying with Santa, then you probably need some java. Many Starbucks locations will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so you can get your caffeine fix. Call ahead for holiday hours.

https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator

All Perkins locations will be open on Christmas Eve, and many will be open on Christmas Day. It varies by location, so call your local spot. I've actually never been to a Perkins. I might as well try it out on Christmas! They also offer a special limited menu during the holidays, which includes a Turkey Dinner deal.

https://stores.perkinsrestaurants.com/search.html