DETROIT – The timeline for Saturday’s wintry mix in Metro Detroit is becoming more clear, including when, where, and how much snow and rain to expect throughout the day.
When will it start?
High-resolution models are offering a better look at what will play out Friday night into Saturday.
First, rain will move in overnight, likely starting around 2-3 a.m. Saturday. This is caused by rising temperatures, with a strong push from the south.
When and where does rain turn to snow?
Rain will start to change over into snow around daybreak Saturday -- which is around 7:30 a.m.
The best chances for early snow are to the northwest parts of the area. Rain will likely hang on south of I-94 and closer to Detroit.
Later in the morning, as temperatures drop, pretty much all of the precipitation in the area will change over to snow.
How much snow?
We’re only expecting a light accumulation of snow for most of Southeast Michigan -- about a half inch to 1 inch.
Some spots could see closer to 1.5 inches.
It doesn’t appear some of the higher possible snow totals from earlier in the week will manifest.
Lingering snowflakes Saturday
The rest of Saturday will have a chance of a few lingering snowflakes as temperatures fall.
The high Saturday will be in the mid- to upper 30s around 7 a.m.
Afternoon temperatures will be in the 20s and feel like the teens or even single digits.
Dangerous temperatures begin Sunday
The coldest air of the season will arrive on Sunday and last well into the workweek. Lows early in the week are below zero, with wind chill temperatures as low as 15-25 degrees below zero, at times.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be very cold. Highs Tuesday will only be in the single digits.
School closings are possible Tuesday and Wednesday because of the dangerous temperatures.
High temperatures get back into the 20s for the second half of the week.
More snow next week
A few snow showers are possible Sunday, but they probably won’t add up to much.
Monday and Tuesday both bring a chance for a few snowflakes.
The next meaningful system appears to be later Wednesday into Thursday.
