Metro Detroit weather forecast: Accumulating snow for some!

Plus: Honing in on the Christmas forecast

DETROIT – Mother Nature has hit the brakes on our highly unusual December warmth, but don’t worry -- it’ll be back after a three-day hiatus.

Mostly cloudy tonight, although it wouldn’t surprise me to see a  short period of partly cloudy sky at some point during the night.  Lows in the mid 20s (-3° Celsius for our Canadian neighbors).  Southwest wind at 5 to 10 mph.

Friday forecast:

Friday is going to be an interesting day from a snow standpoint.  Brisk west-southwest wind bringing cold air over the warmer-than-average lower half of Lake Michigan will start generating lake effect snow bands by late morning, and some of those bands may extend all the way across the state.  So, after a dry start to the day, don’t be surprised if you see snow showers Friday afternoon.  Highs will only reach the low to mid 30s (1° Celsius), but a 15 to 20 mph wind will make it feel like it’s in the teens (-10° Celsius).  Friday’s sunrise is at 7:57 AM, and Friday’s sunset is at 5:03 PM.

Friday night is where things get really interesting.  My high-resolution models are converging on a solution where an upper level disturbance will enhance the lake effect snow bands, and those of you that end up under the more persistent bands could conceivably pick up an inch or two of snow.  It’s hard right now to pinpoint exactly where the most robust snow bands will set up, but tomorrow’s models should help considerably, so watch for my update then.  For now, though, keep in mind that, outside of these narrow, dominant snow bands, the rest of us only get barely a dusting.  Lows Friday night in the low 20s (-5° Celsius).

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the most robust snow bands will set up, but there’s a suggestion that it could be somewhere between I-696 / I-96 and I-69 (not that entire area, just somewhere in there).  Tomorrow’s models should help considerably, so watch for my update then -- but keep in mind that, outside of these narrow, dominant snow bands, the rest of us only get barely a dusting.  Lows Friday night in the low 20s (-5° Celsius).

Weekend forecast: 

Partly cloudy and still breezy on Saturday, with highs in the low 30s (0° Celsius).

Becoming mostly clear Saturday night, with lows in the low  20s (-5° Celsius).

Mostly sunny on Sunday, with highs rebounding back into the mid 40s (6° Celsius).

Increasing clouds Sunday night with a rain shower possible late at night.  Lows in the upper 30s (3° Celsius).

Rain showers are likely on Monday, with highs in the upper 40s (9° Celsius).

Mostly cloudy Monday night, with lows in the mid 30s (1° Celsius).

Mostly cloudy on Tuesday, with highs in the mid 40s (7° Celsius).

Clouds thicken Tuesday night, with more rain showers possible late at night.  Lows in the low 40s (5° Celsius).

Rain showers are likely on Wednesday (Happy Festivus!  Don’t forget to air your grievances!), with highs in the low 50s (11° Celsius).

Rain showers continue Wednesday night, with lows in the mid 40s (7° Celsius). 

Christmas outlook: 

We still have a rain shower chance on Christmas Eve Day, with highs in the low 50s (11° Celsius).  Not very Christmas-like weather -- Merry Christmas!

Partly cloudy on Christmas Day, with highs in the mid 40s (6° Celsius).