Metro Detroit weather: More than 10 inches of snow possible Wednesday-Thursday

SE Michigan under winter storm warning through Thursday

DETROIT – Good Wednesday afternoon!

Southeastern Michigan counties are under a winter storm warning through Thursday night as an expected two-day storm is forecasted to drop several inches of snow across the region.

Morning rain has shifted to snowfall this afternoon, which will continue to fall through the evening. Snow has been heavy and wet due to mild temperatures, but as temperatures drop, the flakes will become less heavy.

The storms could drop 9-12 inches of snow across Metro Detroit by Thursday evening.

Snowfall timeline

Some of the worst weather with heavier snow occurs Wednesday afternoon, when snowfall will be coming down at a half-inch to an inch per hour.

With falling temps from the mid 30s to near 30 degrees this afternoon, the snow will be very tough to travel in, due to massively reduced visibility and snow starting to stick to everything, including the roads.

The winds will begin to pick up in the late afternoon and evening, which will knock our wind chills into the teens late this afternoon. That wind will cause some blowing snow out on our roads, too, especially after the sun goes down.

We will likely see 4-7 inches of snow on the ground by about 5 p.m. Wednesday, with an additional few inches possible through the evening.

Weather

Today’s sunset is at 5:49 p.m.

Consistent snow showers will keep coming and keep falling through the evening hours Wednesday. Temperatures will dip into the 20s, and then we do expect some breaks from the snowflakes in some spots.

Our North Zone will likely see snow showers tapering off for a while later tonight and part of the overnight. In fact, we all may see a nice break from the snow as we head into the overnight hours and early Thursday, which would really help our road crews stay even with the snow removal on our roads, and perhaps help the rest of us as we try to stay ahead of the game shoveling our driveways.

More snow will be moving in as we head into early Thursday morning and the morning drive. So, we may only have a fresh inch or two on the ground while you sleep tonight into tomorrow morning.

Thursday snow

More snow showers will come in a second wave during the Thursday morning drive. The snowfall will take place mainly over the heart of Metro Detroit, which means fewer flakes for those north of M-59 or I-69.

Snow showers won’t be as intense Thursday, but we will still see a fairly consistent flow of snow as we move through a very chilly day.

Temps will be in the upper teens in the morning, and then only lower 20s in the afternoon with a stiff breeze from the north. Those winds will move N at 10-15 mph, and gust to 15-25 mph, causing more blowing snow and snow drifts on our roads. Plus, we will get into the dangerous cold or wind chill category Thursday, with temps feeling more like single digits to subzero at times.

Snowfall throughout Thursday will likely only produce 2-3 inches of new snow around Metro Detroit. Most of us will end up with about a foot of fresh snow from the two days.

Friday and beyond

Friday is the beginning of the end when it comes to the snow. In fact, the snow should very well cut off or leave the area entirely between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday.

The roads will still be in rough shape. Blowing snow late Thursday will still be an issue Friday morning, as the breezes will continue and the roads will be icy. But the roads should improve throughout the day.

We’ll start with single-digit temps and subzero wind chills Friday, and then warm into the upper teens with a bit more sunshine through the afternoon. We’ll have lighter winds later in the day, moving NNW at 5-12 mph.

Right now, the weekend looks bone dry, with lows near zero degrees Saturday under clear and cold skies. Saturday afternoon highs will hit 20 degrees under mostly sunshine. Sunday will bring more clouds and more warmth as we hit highs in the mid-to-upper 20s under partly sunny skies.

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