Light snow moving into Metro Detroit early Sunday will be followed by another surge of cold air, bringing slippery travel for the first half of the day and wind chills that fall below zero by late Sunday night and Monday morning.
Snow is expected to begin between 4 and 5 a.m. Sunday first across Southeast Michigan’s western communities, including Ann Arbor, Howell, Fowlerville, Brighton, Adrian, Dexter, Chelsea and Manchester. Snow will then spread through the remainder of Metro Detroit during the morning. Most communities will pick up a dusting to around one inch of snow, with isolated totals near two inches. The higher totals will be near and west of the US-23 corridor. The steadier snow ends by early afternoon.
While amounts remain on the lighter side, the timing will affect travel to early church services and anyone heading out before about 10 a.m. Untreated roads and bridges may become slick, especially in neighborhoods and on secondary streets. The snow type is likely to be lighter and more powdery, which can create a thin, slippery coating rather than a heavy slush.
Temperatures will vary across the region, with colder readings toward the Thumb and milder conditions in Metro Detroit. Detroit and neighboring suburbs will see temperatures peak around 30 degrees Sunday afternoon, while the Thumb will struggle to climb out of the upper-20s. Overnight lows fall into the teens across Metro Detroit and into the single digits across portions of the Thumb.
Wind chills drop below zero Sunday night and early Monday, especially across northern and western communities. Metro Detroit will feel wind chills near zero at times, while areas north and west may dip several degrees below zero.
Temperatures remain below average for early December. The typical high for December 7 is near 40 degrees with an average low of 28 degrees, but the 7-Day Forecast shows highs mainly in the 20s and 30s and lows ranging from the single digits north to the 30s in Detroit.
Several additional chances for snow are likely through the week as the active pattern continues. Another system midweek may bring a mix of precipitation before temperatures trend slightly milder late week, though still running below normal for this time of year.
Drivers should expect slippery roads early Sunday and be prepared for frigid wind chills by Sunday night. Winter coats, gloves and hats will be necessary for anyone heading out during the early morning or late evening hours.
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