LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Close to 679,000 Michigan residents are waiting to get the lights back on after snow and ice pummeled on Wednesday into early Thursday.

However, wind may prove to be a problem on Thursday as 40-mile-per-hour gusts are predicted to make restoring power more challenging. Plus, wind increases the chances of more power outages.

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The harsh weather over the last 24-hours forced the closure of schools and state offices, and kept many drivers off the roads.

The good news is temperatures are expected to reach the upper 30s and low 40s on Thursday, which will help melt snow and ice on the roads.