Another round of light snow is moving into Southeast Michigan Tuesday evening, adding to a wintry pattern that will carry through New Year’s Eve and usher in a bitterly cold start to the new year.
After picking up a couple of inches of snow Monday, light snow will arrive with a fast-moving weather system across the Great Lakes. Most of the snow is expected before 2 a.m. with around an inch of accumulation likely and localized totals up to 2 inches possible by early Wednesday. Gusty west winds will keep conditions feeling colder and may lead to slick roads and reduced visibility at night.
Wednesday
Snow chances return again on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, as another system moves through the Great Lakes. Light snow is expected to develop by early afternoon Wednesday and continue through early evening. Another half inch to 2 inches of accumulation is possible, with the potential for isolated heavier snow showers or brief snow squalls during the afternoon. These bursts could cause sudden drops in visibility and rapidly changing road conditions, especially during daytime travel.
Temperatures will vary across the region, with Metro Detroit remaining slightly milder than areas farther north. Highs in the metro area are expected to reach the upper 20s to near 30 degrees, while the Thumb stays colder, with highs closer to the lower 20s and teens overnight.
As snow winds down Wednesday evening, attention turns to the cold. New Year’s Eve celebrations will be met with sharply falling temperatures, dropping into the single digits to low teens late at night. Breezy northwest winds will push wind chill values toward zero or several degrees below zero, particularly north and west of Detroit, creating hazardous conditions for anyone attending outdoor events or traveling late at night.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day will be dry but frigid. The coldest conditions are expected early Thursday morning, when wind chills remain in the single digits and below zero. Afternoon temperatures will struggle to recover, with highs mainly in the lower 20s. Below-normal temperatures are expected to persist through the end of the week.
National forecast
From a national perspective, winter weather continues to affect parts of the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast, which could lead to minor travel delays for holiday travelers flying or driving into and out of Detroit. Travelers are advised to allow extra time, monitor conditions closely, and dress appropriately for the cold, especially during overnight hours.
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