DETROIT – Another winter storm is approaching Southeast Michigan, and we’re expecting some accumulation.
Here’s a timeline and how much snow to expect over the next 48 hours:
Wednesday morning
- Timing: 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Snow flurries are possible across Southeast Michigan from early Wednesday morning through the commute.
They’re more probable in the Thumb region, which also might get some light accumulation during that timeframe -- possibly a half-inch for areas around Port Huron or Sandusky, Michigan.
Southwest wind gusts will be between 20-30 mph, and temperatures will be in the upper 20s but feel like the teens due to wind chills.
Wednesday afternoon and evening
- Timing: Noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Snow chances become more widespread during this timeframe.
With temperatures rising above freezing -- into the mid-30s, though wind chills will feel like the low to mid-20s -- we can’t rule out some rain mixing in.
But this appears to primarily be a “wet” snow event.
By midnight, most of Southeast Michigan will have picked up between a half-inch and an inch of snow.
Wind gusts will still be between 20-30 mph out of the southwest.
Overnight Wednesday into Thursday
- Timing: 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday
The heaviest snowfall of the next 48 hours appears to be within this window, as of now.
Models support a burst of snow during this timeframe, with snow-liquid ratios increasing from 10:1 at the start of the event to 16:1 by late Wednesday evening.
This will be the time of more rapid accumulation. Overall totals of 1-2 inches seem reasonable, with higher amounts possible locally in higher-intensity snow bands.
Strong gusts could also lead to blowing snow and visibility issues. West to northwest wind gusts will be 30-40+ mph.
Temperatures before midnight will be in the upper 20s to low 30s, but feel around 20 degrees with wind chills.
After midnight, temperatures will be in the low to mid-20s and feel like the single digits.
Stay with us for updates!
As new model data comes in, we’ll continue to fine-tune this timeline, which could warrant the 4Warn Weather Alert to be expanded or even issued earlier, potentially by Wednesday evening.