DETROIT – A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties until 12 p.m. Saturday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Genesee, Lapeer, Sanilac and St. Clair counties until 12 p.m. Saturday.
A Lakeshore Flood Warning is in effect for the coasts of Macomb and St. Clair counties until 4 p.m. Saturday.
A Lakeshore Flood Advisory is in effect for Monroe, Sanilac and Wayne counties until 4 p.m. Saturday.
What a way to start the holiday weekend! It’s MLK weekend, so winter storm 2020 will allow for quiet, calm reflection of the occasion’s meaning indoors.
Winter Storm 2020 will unleash its heaviest snow Saturday morning, and it will be combined with pounding surf. Over 6 inches of fresh snow will accumulate by lunchtime across most of the metro area. Snow with change to or mix with sleet and rain, Saturday afternoon and evening. Then the weather will be much colder than average for more than a day for a change.
Saturday morning will be snowy, cold and treacherous. Some of the heaviest snow will fall before and just after sunrise. This is quite an eye-opener with 2 to 4 inches of snow on the ground when many people wake up. Another 2 to 6 inches are possible after breakfast-time. The best place is to be indoors. Anyone who has to venture out because of work or other obligations must add 30 to 60 minutes to get to or from their destination, slow down dramatically on the roads and remain extra alert for other vehicles, including snow plows and trucks, and any pedestrians. Temperatures will be in the upper 20s and low 30s.
Sunrise is at 7:59 a.m.
The warm sector of winter storm 2020 arrives Saturday afternoon. Areas south of I-94 will experience a snow/sleet mix at the end of lunchtime then rain the rest of the afternoon. Highs will be near 40 degrees.
Neighborhoods south of M-59 and north of I-94, including Detroit, Ann Arbor and southern Oakland and Macomb counties, will experience a snow/sleet/rain mix and periodic rain, Saturday afternoon. Highs will be in the upper 30s.
Places north of M-59 will have a snow/sleet mix, Saturday afternoon. Highs will be in the mid 30s.
Sunset is at 5:28 p.m. ET.
Snow totals by the end of dinner will be between 5 and 10 inches in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. It will be a pretty even distribution. If your town receives more rain or sleet, snow totals will be lower. More snow most of the day means higher snow totals.
Saturday night will be cloudy and cold. Overnight lows will be in the upper teens to near 20 degrees. Driving and walking remains extremely hazardous at night and by dawn.
Sunday will be mostly cloudy and cold. Afternoon temperatures will be in the mid 20s. Remember to shovel snow at your own pace. Do not over-exert yourself. Parents, remember to make sure your children are bundled up with secure pockets so they remain warm and hold on to their keys, wallets/ID cards and devices.
Welcome to MLK Day, Monday. Much colder air arrives and stays early next week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be mostly sunny at times and mostly cloudy at other times. Morning and nighttime lows will be in the low and mid teens with wind chills near zero. Afternoon highs will be in the low and mid 20s with wind chills in the single digits and teens. Dress in layers and remain vigilant while traveling to and from ceremonies and commemorations.
Remember to download the FREE Local4Casters weather app -- it’s easily one of the best in the nation. Just search your app store under WDIV and it’s right there available for both iPhones and Androids!