4Warn Weather – A system will bring accumulating snow to most of Michigan on Thursday, including to parts of Metro Detroit.
This isn’t a major winter storm, but it will impact travel with rain, snow and wind in the forecast, and more snow the further north you are in the mitten. In Metro Detroit, rain will cut into snow totals, especially south of I-69.
A winter weather advisory was issued for the northern part of Southeast Michigan and the north half of the Lower Peninsula.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s expected in each region of the state.
Snow forecast for Southeast Michigan
From 4Warn Weather’s Ashlee Baracy:
Timeline: The onset will begin around 7am-8am with most pushing just after the lunch hour, so this will only last around 5 hours or less. The front edge of this system will pack a punch with snowfall rates between 1-2 inches per hour which will allow for a quick coating of snow for the later part of the morning commute before any melting or changeover to rain occurs. However, Monroe and Lenawee counties will likely see more rain throughout the duration of the system.
Snowfall Projections: As of right now, it looks like we will pick up little to no accumulation south of I-94 due to warmer temperatures resulting in rain. From I-94 to I-696, will likely be the corridor of a rain/snow mix. How much rain mixes in will greatly impact the slushy accumulation, but it appears as if we will pick up less than an inch to possibly two inches the farther north you go. Looking at 1-3″ from I-696 to M-59 and 3-5″ north of M-59.
Precipitation Type: South of I-94 has a better chance of this being a mainly rain event. A rain/snow mix is more likely across Washtenaw and Wayne counties. North of I-696 will have more snowfall from this system. The rain/snow line will be very tight meaning a shift in ten miles could greatly chance what some communities closer to I-94 see.
Winds: Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph will be possible Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening with gusts around 40 mph, making for blustery conditions in the wake of the wet, wintry weather.
Snow forecast for West Michigan
From the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids: The forecast will be fine-tuned on Wednesday, but for now these are the chances of 2 to 4 inches of snow Thursday morning.
With temperatures in the 30s, where the rain/snow transition line falls on the map will be important. For now, the best chance of snow will be near and north of I-96, while mostly rain is more likely to the south.
Expect snowy roads and travel slowdowns Thursday morning where it does snow, as it could accumulate pretty quickly.
Snow forecast in Northern Lower Michigan
From the National Weather Service in Gaylord: A quick hitting storm system will move through the Great Lakes region Thursday, bringing wide spread snow to much of Michigan. There is still large uncertainty in specific amounts and where the amounts will be.
Breezy northwest winds behind the system will move in Thursday evening and generate lake effect snowfall over eastern upper and northwest lower. This lake effect will linger through the weekend.
Widespread 3-5 inches of snow is likely, with up to 7 inches possible in isolated areas.
Snow in Michigan Upper Peninsula
From the National Weather Service in Marquette: Light snow spreads over the region today before a better chance builds into the region tonight. Greatest chance of seeing more than 4 inches of snow is across the east half of Upper Michigan, but areas in southern and central still have a chance.
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