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Snow heading toward Metro Detroit Friday, this weekend: What to know

Snow likely won’t accumulate for most

4Warn WeatherHappy Friday!

Everything appears to be playing out as expected thus far with today’s approaching snow, although the overall trend is for a bit slower timing -- which means we may be able to salvage the afternoon rush hour!

We are starting our Friday dry, and I expect us to be dry through late afternoon -- especially for those in the eastern and northeastern parts of the area where the snow will arrive last.

The snow should be roughly near the US-23 corridor, arrive by 5 p.m., and then spread rapidly eastward. The snow will continue into the evening, but the pattern will also weaken as it moves eastward, likely ending by midnight.

As far as accumulation is concerned, I want to be clear: This is not a big snowstorm for us. The central part of the area will see the most snow, and that’ll probably be less than one inch for most.

Those south of I-94 will see less (or no) accumulation because a few raindrops may mix in, which cuts into the snow totals. Furthermore, those north of I-69 will see less (or no) accumulation because they’re the farthest removed from the low-pressure system passing south of us, and drier air is being directed into their area.

All in all, this will be a non-event for us. Especially with highs in the low 40s, some of the snow may initially melt, although I expect rapid cooling once the precipitation starts.

We may see some break-up of the clouds Friday night, with lows near 30 degrees. Temps will be cooler if we get any outright clearing of our skies.

Wet weather possible late Saturday

Any partial sunshine we have on Saturday morning should disappear behind increasing clouds. The daylight hours, however, should be dry, with highs in the low 40s.

Our Saturday evening plans at this point look dry, but if you’ll be out very late, some rain or snow showers are possible as an upper-level disturbance approaches. Current computer models suggest that the best chance will be in our North Zone, which is generally north of I-69. Lows will be in the mid-30s.

Any leftover rain or snow showers should end by dawn Sunday morning, with most of the day ending up dry. (That would be good news for Lions tailgaters before the big game at Ford Field.)

Sunday highs will be in the low 40s.

Next week preview

Monday and Tuesday should be dry -- more good shopping weather on the way -- with highs near 40 degrees.

Then, a strong cold front will approach Wednesday or Wednesday night. We’ll get rain showers ahead of it, with highs Wednesday reaching the mid-40s. It’ll be a windy day.

The showers should end Thursday morning, with temperatures falling from the low-to-mid-40s into the mid-30s by the end of the afternoon.

We then trend colder for a while behind that front, with highs Friday through Sunday generally in the 30s, breezy conditions, and snow shower chances.

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