Metro Detroit weather: Changes to the weekend snow forecast

Computer models suggest changes to timing, amount of snow

DETROIT – The new computer model data just in to the Local4Casters office suggests a change to both the timing and amount of snow heading toward Metro Detroit on Friday night and Saturday.

First of all, the bright sunshine from Friday morning will start to be encroached upon by advancing cloud cover during the afternoon. Those of us to the south will keep the most sun. Highs Friday afternoon should reach the low 30s (0 degrees Celsius), but wind chills will still be near 20 degrees (-6 to -7 degrees Celsius).

Friday's sunrise was at 7:50 a.m., and sunset is at 5:01 p.m.

Increasing clouds will arrive Friday night, with snow developing well after midnight. Friday evening still looks dry. Lows will be in the low to mid-20s (-5 degrees Celsius).

Update on weekend snowfall

The new computer models are giving due respect to the very dry air mass over us, which will now eat into some of the advancing snow late Friday night. Thus, the spatial extent and intensity of the snow when it finally reaches our area appears to be less than what was portrayed earlier by the models.

Now, most areas should see only a half-inch to 1 inch of snow, with areas farther to the north and west getting into the 1- to 2-inch range.

Sanilac County looks to have the best chance of exceeding 2 inches. A final band of snow will rotate through, mainly in our northeastern area, late Saturday afternoon and end early Saturday evening. Highs will be in the low 30s (0 degrees Celsius).

It will become mostly clear for a while Saturday night, then become partly cloudy later at night. Lows will be near 20 degrees (-6 to -7 degrees Celsius).

Sunday will become mostly cloudy, with highs in the low 30s (0 degrees Celsius).

Chance of snow next week

Our next chance of snow looks to be on Monday into Tuesday. It’s too early to say how much just yet, but this could end up being a much better snow chance than this weekend’s.

Behind that, it gets windy and very cold for Menorah in the D -- the start of Hanukkah -- Tuesday evening, when thousands of people will gather downtown to light the city’s ceremonial menorah.

Expect the cold temperature pattern, with periodic light snow chances, to persist all the way through next week. In fact, highs next Tuesday through Friday will only reach the upper 20s to near 30 degrees (-2 to -1 degree Celsius).

The very cold pattern could possibly relax slightly the following week, but we’ll still be cold. Expect much of any snow we get this week and next to stick around. A white Christmas is looking increasingly likely, so stay tuned.