DETROIT – As I’ve been forecasting since late last week, Metro Detroit will stay mild through early next week before a long-term pattern change to more typical winter temperatures arrives next Thursday.
A dense fog advisory has been issued for Metro Detroit until 10 a.m. Saturday.
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Friday night will feature plenty of low clouds, with fog increasing through the night. Visibility in some areas will be significantly restricted as the night progresses.
The National Weather Service has issued a dense fog advisory for our entire area until 10 a.m. Saturday. The fog has developed ahead of an advancing warm front (the front edge of warmer air), which will also trigger scattered light showers later Friday night.
Fortunately, the showers won't arrive until after Friday evening’s Winter Blast activities downtown. Lows in the low 40s (5 degrees Celsius) will occur in the middle of the night, with temperatures starting to rise toward dawn. East-southeast winds will blow at 2 to 5 mph.
Scattered morning showers should diminish Saturday morning, with just clouds hanging around for the afternoon.
To the best of my recollection, it’s never been this mild for Winter Blast. Afternoon highs will reach the mid-50s (12 to 13 degrees Celsius), with a southeast wind at 7 to 12 mph.
A couple of days ago, I spoke to Winter Blast Grand Poobah Jon Witz and directly asked him if the warm weather would cause any problems. He said that the only thing that’ll be impacted by the warmth is the ice sculpture portion of the event. Everything else (even the awesome slide) is not snow-dependent. In fact, he told me the ice rink ice can be maintained up to an air temperature of 60 degrees (15 degrees Celsius).
This might be the mildest ice skating you’ve ever done, so come on down and experience the great food and fun, and remember that the auto show paid-entry hand stamp you get on Winter Blast weekend also gets you into Winter Blast free. If you don’t have the hand stamp, donating three canned food products to help the hungry gets you in. If you show up without a hand stamp or canned food to donate, a small $3 donation is all you pay to experience all of the fun.
Saturday evening should be dry, so grab your sweetie and enjoy a problem-free date night out. Overnight lows will be in the mid-40s (6 degrees Celsius). Remember, the average high temperature right now is 32 degrees (0 degrees Celsius).
It will be cloudy on Sunday with scattered showers possible. Highs will be in the low 50s (11 degrees Celsius) -- another mild one for the final day of Winter Blast.
A better chance of showers develops Sunday night, with lows near 40 degrees (4 to 5 degrees Celsius).
Next week's forecast
Showers are likely for at least part of the day on Monday, with highs in the mid-40s (6 to 7 degrees Celsius).
Some early morning showers on Tuesday should end and leave us with a dry rest of the day. Highs will be in the low 40s (5 degrees Celsius).
Wednesday starts our transition to a more wintry pattern as some rain showers possibly mix with snow. It’ll be a windy day, too, with highs in the low to mid-40s (5 to 7 degrees Celsius).
It will be mostly cloudy and windy on Thursday, with scattered snow showers possible. Highs will be in the mid-30s (3 degrees Celsius).
Friday through Sunday will be continued breezy, with mostly cloudy skies and possible snow showers. Highs will remain in the low to mid-30s (0 to 1 degree Celsius).
The long-range computer models suggest that the typical wintertime temperatures will stick around at least through the first week in February.
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