DETROIT – There are no weather problems to deal with this evening -- we'll be dry, with temperatures falling into the mid to upper 20s.
Clouds will then increase, and an area of freezing rain will move into the area from southwest to northeast after 3 a.m. My only concern about the timing of the ice is based upon how dry the air is. You see, when the air is dry, rain falling into that air evaporates and cools it (the same law of thermodynamics in play here is what causes you to feel cold when you get out of the shower or a pool). The computer models really rush the warmer air at us, but how quickly we rise above freezing will depend upon how cold and especially how dry the air is when the rain gets here.
Recommended Videos
Right now, I expect most areas to see no more than two or three hours of freezing rain but, if you'll be out early in the morning, be very careful due to the potential for ice on roads and sidewalks. By the time most of us leave for work, temperatures should be close to freezing, if not slightly above south of 8 Mile. East wind at 5 to 10 mph.
If you haven't done so already, I suggest following me on Twitter for weather updates. If you "don't do" Twitter, then you may want to consider this, as it's a great way for me to quickly send important updates to you (as well as occasional really cool science stuff). Signing up for Twitter is free, and if you don't want a big clutter of stuff coming to you, only follow me. My Twitter handle is @PGLocal4.
Also, if you don't have the FREE Local4Casters weather app, head over to the app store and search under WDIV -- it's right there. The app not only has color-coded radar like I show you on TV, so you can see where the rain and ice are, but you can also check your local temperature to see if it's above or below freezing when you leave for work. Wednesday is one of those GREAT days to have our weather app (it's really cool to watch the precip transformation on radar).
Any freezing rain still falling during the Wednesday morning rush hour (best chance is north of I-69), should quickly change over to regular rain, which will become more scattered by late morning, and end by early afternoon. After that, some sun should develop -- especially for the western suburbs. It's going to become quite windy -- you'll notice that -- with south to southwest winds increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 or 35 mph certainly possible. Highs in the mid 50s. Wednesday's sunrise is at 7:28 AM, and Wednesday's sunset is at 7:51 PM.
Light rain showers develop after midnight Wednesday night, with lows in the mid 30s.
We'll start the day on Thursday with showers (best chances are the farther south you are), then skies hopefully become partly cloudy by late afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s, although it'll be a breezy day.
Partly cloudy Thursday night with a light rain or snow shower possible. Lows in the mid 20s.
Partly cloudy, breezy, and chilly on Friday, with highs in the low 30s.
Becoming mostly clear Friday night, with lows in the mid teens.
Mostly sunny with light wind on Saturday. Highs in the mid 30s.
Mostly clear Saturday night, with lows in the low to mid 20s.
Increasing clouds and becoming windy on Sunday, with some light afternoon rain or snow showers possible. Highs in the mid 40s.
Rain and / or snow showers end Sunday night, with lows in the low 30s.
Partly cloudy and windy on Monday, with highs in the mid 40s.
Becoming mostly clear Monday night, with lows in the upper 20s.
Mostly sunny on Tuesday, with highs in the low to mid 50s.