Power outage sends Skyline High School students in Ann Arbor home for the day

Skyline High School students in Ann Arbor were being sent home after the power went out Friday morning.

District spokeswoman Liz Margolis said a transformer in the area failed, knocking out the power about 11 a.m., and there was no estimate from DTE Energy about when the power would be back.

Students would be released within the next 15 minutes, Margolis said at 11:45 a.m., and buses would take students who ride the bus home within an hour.

The DTE Power Outage Map showed power out to 347 customers along North Maple Road, where the high school is located. The outage stretched between M-14 and Newport Road. The map estimated restoration between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

The map also showed an outage affecting 170 customers near Veterans Park along Maple Road.

It was the second time this year that a power outage closed Skyline High School early. The school also lost power Oct. 30 during the winds and rain spawned by Superstorm Sandy.

DTE spokesman Scott Simons said the outages Friday were weather related. He said the utility has about 12,000 customers without power in its service area in southeast Michigan. All are due to high winds, he said.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the Ann Arbor area until midnight Friday, warning winds gusting to 45 mph could cause power outages, blowing snow, slick roads and reduced visibility.

For weather updates and conditions any time, check AnnArbor.com's weather page.