What is a snow shower? A winter blast could produce up to 3 inches in parts of Detroit.

(CBS-DETROIT) — A fast-moving low-pressure system High winds and cold air are expected to arrive, along with some accumulating snow through the middle of the week. The CBS Detroit meteorology team is currently monitoring a possible snow shower.

A snow shower is an intense period of moderate to heavy snowfall of limited duration (usually 30 to 60 minutes) accompanied by gusts of wind that result in blowing snow, reducing visibility and creating white snow.

Snow showers are often associated with cold fronts, like the one on Wednesday evening.

The sudden whiteout conditions, combined with plunging temperatures, can cause icy roads in minutes. Showers can occur when a large-scale winter storm is not underway and can cause only small accumulations of a few inches in a short period of time.

Snow shower warnings are short-lived and targeted to specific areas (such as tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings). If snow showers are in the forecast, make sure you have a way to get updated information.

This way you stay safe on the road during a snow shower

If a snowstorm warning is issued for your area, avoid or slow down car trips. There really is no safe place on the highway during a snowfall.

If you are already on the road and cannot leave the road, reduce your speed, turn on your headlights and hazard lights and leave sufficient distance between you and the car in front of you.

Don’t hit the brakes. On slippery and icy roads and reduced visibility, this can contribute to loss of control of your vehicle and also increase the risk of a chain reaction accident.