DETROIT – Before getting into the forecast I need to explain something, because I'm getting a lot of emails and tweets about this (you can follow me at @PaulGrossLocal4).
Everybody is asking exactly when our snow season begins and ends, presumably because everybody wants to know if our spring snow counts toward our total for the season. Snow is totaled for the entire cold weather season -- from our first snow in October or November, to the last snow in April or May. So, yes: Any snow we get this spring will be added to our winter total -- which means we still have a chance to approach our all-time record for snowiest winter (93.8 inches back in 1880-81).
Seasonal temperatures, by contrast, are computed just for three month intervals: Winter is December to February, spring is March to May, summer is June to August, and autumn is September to November. Speaking of temperatures, you just lived through the 8th coldest winter (remember…that's December to February) in recorded Detroit weather history!
Alright, on to your forecast:
Clear skies and light wind early tonight will allow temperatures to fall sharply again, with lows near zero in the Urban Heat Island near Detroit (our record low is 1, set back in 1873 -- one of our oldest records), and below zero outside of the Heat Island.
Light snow develops on Tuesday ahead of a weak upper level disturbance, with generally less than a half-inch for most of metro Detroit, and perhaps an inch along and north of I-69. After another bone-chilling start to the day, temperatures struggle once again to a high in the upper teens. Light southwest wind.
Cloudy skies Tuesday night, with lows near 11.
Another upper level disturbance brings a batch of light snow to the area on Wednesday. At this point, a widespread inch or so appears likely -- I'll keep you posted on this. Highs in the mid 20s.
Gradually decreasing clouds Wednesday night, with lows near 11.
Becoming mostly sunny on Thursday, with highs in the mid 20s.
Light snow showers return for Friday into Saturday, but the big story is temperature: Right now, it appears that we'll be at or above 30 Friday through Monday! Time to open up the patio and fire up the barbecue ...