4Warn Weather – Metro Detroit experienced an unusual burst of springlike warmth Friday morning, shattering long-standing January temperature records as powerful wind gusts swept across Southeast Michigan.
Record highs
Temperatures surged to 60 degrees at Detroit Metro Airport, breaking the previous Jan. 9 record of 55 degrees set in 1880 and tied in 1949.
Farther north, Flint climbed to 59 degrees, surpassing the old record of 54 degrees from 1939.
The record warmth sent temperatures nearly 30 degrees above average for January.
Powerful winds observed
Along with the warmth came the intense winds. Gusts late Friday morning into early afternoon reached damaging levels across the region, contributing to scattered power outages and difficult travel conditions.
Peak wind gusts reported included:
- 67 mph in Romulus
- 66 mph in Detroit
- 59 mph in Ann Arbor
- 59 mph in Harrison Township
- 56 mph in Ypsilanti
- 55 mph in Pontiac
Utility crews responded to power outages caused by downed tree limbs and power lines as the strongest winds swept through during the late morning hours.
Winds gradually eased later in the afternoon as the storm system moved east.
The dramatic weather shift will not end there.
A colder air mass is now moving back into Southeast Michigan, setting the stage for rain and snow showers this weekend.
This weekend
Rain will mix with and change to snow Saturday afternoon and night, with the best chance for accumulating snow arriving during the evening and overnight hours.
Metro Detroit could see a dusting to about 1 inch of snow, while higher totals of one to three inches are possible across the Thumb and areas north of I-69, where colder air will be more firmly in place.
Snow showers may linger into early Sunday, accompanied by gusty northwest winds, before quieter weather returns late Sunday into Monday.
Despite the cooler feel, temperatures are expected to remain near or slightly above seasonal averages for much of the upcoming week, even as winter settles back in.
For weekend plans, Saturday morning is expected to be the most favorable window for outdoor activities before precipitation arrives later in the day.
Sunday will feel colder and breezier, with spotty snow showers making travel slower at times.
Next week
Those hoping to take advantage of colder weather may find Sunday evening or early next week more suitable for activities like ice skating, once temperatures drop and conditions stabilize.
After a day that felt more like mid-April than January, Southeast Michigan is once again being reminded that winter is far from over.
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