Detroit, East Coast prepare for Christmas winter storm

Systems coverge over Detroit area late Tuesday

DETROIT – Although it's cold, Detroiters can take solace in the fact that it remains dry during the last full weekend of holiday shopping before Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Families must take note that these days are the most weather-friendly, and Monday will be the last dry shopping day before a significant winter storm forms and moves across Southeast Michigan.

Please join me on Twitter (@AndrewLocal4) for regular weather updates.

For now, computer models are showing two storms merging and causing a mess over the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and New England from Tuesday through Christmas Day, Thursday. Fortunately, Detroit will be in the warm sector of the system during the beginning on Tuesday, which means rain. However, colder air arrives Christmas Eve, Wednesday, meaning a changeover to snow and slicker roads, parking lots and sidewalks for last-minute shoppers. Children and kids-at-heart may have an extra kick in their step to learn that a fresh coating of snow is possible Christmas morning.

Please keep in mind talk about this winter storm is very preliminary. Low pressure high in the atmosphere that is due to cross over the West Coast Saturday night provides some uncertainty. As we get closer to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, models may come in to better alignment, thus providing more certainty on the change over to snow and any snow amounts.

TRAVEL WEATHER

Anyone traveling to western Michigan ought to prepare for lake effect snow and snow squalls Christmas Eve while traveling to colder air.

The East Coast, from the Washington, DC-Baltimore area through New York and to New England, will receive a deluge of rain and will be battered by heavy, damaging wind. It would be wise for air travelers to call their airlines within 24 hours of departure to make sure their flights are on time. Drivers need to factor in extra time, too, especially on those multi-hour trips.

STRONG WIND FOR DETROIT

A factor that is almost guaranteed is that wind speeds and wind gusts will rise Christmas Eve, Wednesday, through Christmas Day. Scattered power outages are possible if gusts are high enough, but that is a big "if." Hope that does not happen. Again, the transition to snow Wednesday and early Christmas morning will mean more slippery roads. Kid, don't worry, Santa Claus will have smooth sailing because he and his nine reindeer (including Rudolph) will stay off the ground.

LOCAL 4 WEATHER APPS

Remember to download the FREE Local4Casters Weather app. Just go to your app store and search for "WDIV." Our local radar pops up as soon as you open the app. It is the perfect resource for traveling because you have the power to monitor 4 Live Radar anywhere in the nation.

Also, download our FREE Storm Pins app so you can take and share holiday and weather photos and videos. We know you have keen eye for gorgeous sunrises and sunsets and dazzling Christmas light displays. With Storm Pins, just pin them to a map so the Local4Casters can share them and give you a TV shout-out. Feel free to share pictures and clips with other Storm Pins users, too.

The FREE Local4Casters Weather and Storm Pins apps are the perfect way to make weather more social. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!