DETROIT – The first snowfall of the season is expected to hit this week.
Winter weather is expected to bring lower temperatures and below-freezing wind chills to the area starting Wednesday night, with scattered snow showers possible overnight.
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Related: When to expect snow to arrive in Metro Detroit this week
You’ll want to set your alarm clock early as this could impact your morning commute.
Where to expect snow
Widespread rain showers across Southeast Michigan move into the area early Wednesday afternoon. As temperatures drop and winds pick up, some snowflakes might be mixed in later in the afternoon near the Thumb. Metro Detroit could see some flakes after sunset before the day ends, but most of the snow will arrive the next day.
Southeast Michigan is expected to see scattered snow showers between 3-4 a.m. Thursday as temperatures could reach freezing. Scattered snow showers could last through the morning commute.
Snow accumulations up to one inch are possible, but most areas will likely be in the lower end.
West of US-23 stands the best chance of exceeding one inch. Jackson County could see half an inch of snow.
Read: Here’s how much snow to expect in Southeast Michigan over next 24 hours
There may be brief pockets of intensity that could impact visibility or road quality, but the snow isn’t expected to stick as surface temperatures are above freezing.
Snow in West Michigan:
Here’s the latest from NWS in Grand Rapids:
- Rain showers become mixed with or changing to all snow tonight and continuing on Thursday
- Areas of accumulating wet/slushy snow expected, especially inland from Lake Michigan and across higher-terrain areas
- Current expectations: 1-4″ but a low probability exists for localized higher amounts.
- Snow accumulations on roads and sidewalks likely less than on lawns, decks, rooftops, etc.
Snow in Northern Lower Michigan:
Here’s the latest from NWS in Gaylord:
- Rain will mix with and change over to snow tonight into Thursday morning, mainly across the interior.
- Best confidence for accumulating snow will be across interior portions of northern lower Michigan, where several inches of wet, heavy snow will be possible.
- Marginal temperatures will make for a tricky forecast in regards to exact snow amounts.
Snow in Michigan Upper Peninsula
Here’s the latest from NWS in Marquette:
Rain spreads out from east to west as a system stalls to our southeast. As the precipitation moves into the west, some wet snow mixes in. By Thursday afternoon, snow will gradually change back to rain with snow accumulations around a half inch to an inch except Baraga County/higher terrain and surrounding areas that could see up to 2 -4 inches of wet snow.