Light freezing drizzle and freezing rain are expected to develop this afternoon over central Minnesota and spread northeast across the Northland tonight.

The simple safety idea is to avoid driving Friday morning after 5 a.m. By 1 p.m. temperatures will be around 32 degrees, and the freezing rain will be tapering off. The interstates and state highways may have icy conditions improving Friday afternoon.

CLEVELAND — The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for multiple counties in Northeast Ohio due to forecasted freezing rain. The advisory will be in effect on Friday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the following counties:

Those that experience sleet/snow will still likely have some freezing rain. However, lower totals of ice will happen due to the mix. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued as a result. The timing of the mix will mainly be Friday morning and afternoon.

A Gale Warning is in effect for eastern and central Lake Superior from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, with southeast winds gusting to gale force. Mariners should exercise extreme caution, as another round of gales appears likely Sunday into Monday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for all of Southeastern Michigan, including Metro Detroit, from 5:00 AM Friday until 4:00 PM Friday, in advance of the freezing rain and ice accumulation forecast to move into the region.

Christmas Eve and Christmas will be dry for the most part, but after the holiday ends, it could get messy around Metro Detroit.

Environment Canada issued a freezing rain warning on Thursday for Southwestern Ontario, ranging from Windsor to Woodstock, where significant freezing rain is expected to begin Friday morning and last into the afternoon. The London region could get between 5 to 10 millimetres of ice buildup, the federal weather agency said.

After a dry start on Wednesday morning, light rain and drizzle move in during the afternoon and continue into Christmas night, with areas of fog developing and becoming thick in spots overnight.

Driving back from holiday trips could be tricky Friday due to a system expected to bring freezing rain to much of the state, including Southeast Michigan.