Metro Detroit weather and school closings: Everything you need to know

Snow expected Monday; dangerously cold temps later this week

A child shovels snow in Metro Detroit on Jan. 27, 2019. (WDIV)

DETROIT – With a round of snow followed by sub-freezing temperatures forecasted for this week in Metro Detroit, you can be sure to expect a flurry of school closings. 

It all depends on how much snow and how cold it is, of course. Here's what the forecast is calling for: 

Monday weather forecast

Snow will start Monday morning and continue through the day. An average of 2 to 10 inches is expected across the heart of Metro Detroit, with more than 7 inches possible north of I-69. 

  • A winter storm warning will be in effect for Genesee, Lapeer and Sanilac counties until 12 a.m. Tuesday.
  • A winter weather advisory for Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne counties that will last until 12 a.m. Tuesday. This winter weather advisory is expected to last from 7 a.m. Monday to midnight Tuesday.

WHEN: Light snow is expected to arrive around 8 a.m. and intensify toward the end of the morning commute through the afternoon.

Nearly 800 schools are closed on Monday -- check the list here. 

Watch the latest forecast here: 

Tuesday weather forecast -- snow day expected

Tuesady could be another day to expect widespread school closings due to snow. Again, school closings can be tracked here.

According to the Local 4 meteorologists, Tuesday will be cloudy and very cold. Temperatures will be in the low and middle teens all day. That could mean icy conditions for Tuesday's morning commute after Monday's snowfall. 

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday weather forecast -- dangerous cold

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Detroit and southeast Michigan are expected to experience the coldest air of the season, so far. Schools closings could be prompted by this extreme cold. Sending kids to feeze at the bus stop is not something anyone wants to have happen if it's not entirely necessary. 

This is when the polar vortex brings dangerously cold, wind-blown air into the region. Morning lows will be between -5° and -10°F. Wind chills will approach 20 degrees below zero or lower.

Daytime temps will struggle to make it to 0°F or the single digits, mid week, according to the Local 4 meteorologists. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur quickly if one is not careful. People, especially seniors and children, should spend only limited amounts of time outdoors.

And, again, that's why you can expect school districts to shutter for the day and keep everyone home inside. 

Here's a snapshot of the week's weather forecast as of Monday morning: 

ClickOnDetroit will be your resource

Look no further and WDIV and Local 4 for guidance on this week's weather and possible school closings. 

Here are the most helpful resources on ClickOnDetroit: 

 Calculate your chances for a snow day  

This is always a fun one -- calculating chances for a snow day. As if it's at all scientifically possible (it's not) to do such calculations ... but it's still fun to try!

 Local 4Casters weather app: 

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 weather photos and videos. Just pin Storm Pins to a map so the Local4Casters can share them and give you a TV shoutout. 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.

 StormPins 

Be sure to download the StormPins app (or go here) to share snow photos. 

Lori Hannon sent us this beautiful picture of snow and ice on Sunday:Â