Accumulating snow forecasted this weekend in Metro Detroit: How much to expect and when

2 waves of snow expected in SE Michigan

4Warn Weather – We anticipate more snow chances later this afternoon and evening (mainly after 4pm) as a clipper system sweeps west to east across the Great Lakes.

We will add a little fresh snow to the snowpack on the ground. Estimating a widespread light snowfall of around an inch. Highs today will top out in the mid-30s.

Weekend snow

Our focus now shifts to the potential for accumulating snow this weekend. Highs both Saturday and Sunday will be around freezing with overnight lows in the mid to upper 20s. A relatively brief period of mainly dry conditions is expected early Saturday before the next wave of snow moves in Saturday afternoon and continues into Sunday meaning this will be a longer duration event.

Some differences remain in the latest model runs as to where the surface low tracks and that will greatly impact the type of precipitation we see and how much snowfall we accumulate.

Stay with our 4Warn Weather Team throughout the weekend for the latest track of this system. The consensus for now is that we will see all snow across most of our area with the better chance for a wintry mix along the Ohio state line. But things could change. We’ll keep you posted.

How much snow to expect?

The swath of snowfall will give us 3 to 5 inches generally along the I-69 corridor with 2 to 4 inches more likely for the rest of Metro Detroit north of I-94. Areas along and south of I-94 may come in at 2 inches or below as the milder air moving in that zone will eat into snow ratios and possibly result in rain mixing in at times.

Next week lookahead

Precipitation will taper off during the day Sunday as the system moves off to the east. Heading into next week, expect some of the coldest temperatures of the year so far. Highs Monday through at least Wednesday only top in the low 20s, perhaps high teens, with single digit lows as the upper-level jet sinks southward.

Long range models hint that arctic high pressure could keep rounds of snow just south of the state line during this time, but I’m not ruling out some light snow again on Monday with the next clipper system that passes through.

Check out our interactive radar below.

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About the Author

Ashlee Baracy is an Emmy award-winning meteorologist who was born and raised in Metro Detroit. You can catch her 4Warn Weather forecasts weekday mornings, at noon and streaming on Local4+.

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