Detroit residents should brace themselves for a walloping by Old Man Winter, as the National Weather Service has issued a forecast pointing to a week of snow, wind, and plummeting temperatures. Motor City is expected to receive repeated snow showers starting today, with the possibility of heavy rain mixing in, creating chaotic weather conditions through next Thursday.
The blustery conditions dropped in earlier today with forecasters predicting a "chance of snow before 3pm, then rain and snow. The rain could be heavy at times." City-goers should expect a high near 39 degrees with an east wind speeding up to possibly 36 mph gusts. The chances of precipitation today are not to be gambled with, pegged at a solid 100%, although snow accumulation is to be less than one inch, as per National Weather Service data.
Tonight, the snow/rain mix is forecasted to continue before 1am, then transition back to snow showers. A howling east southeast wind is quickly to change directions, coming from the south southwest and reaching speeds up to 48 mph. Accumulation is once again expected to be less than a half-inch, but the certainty of precipitation remains at 100%.
This weekend's outlook seems to follow a similar pattern with “Snow likely, mainly before 1pm,” and patchy blowing snow making for a challenging Saturday. The wind chill for Saturday night is anticipated to drop temperatures to feel as low as -3 degrees, with a west southwest wind gusting to 40 mph. The odds for snow showers continue through Sunday with a 40% chance, defining the week ahead as a truly frosty affair.
People in Detroit might want to extend their winter preparations beyond the weekend, as cold temperatures and overcast skies are to persist. Looking ahead to Monday, which marks Martin Luther King Day, the forecast promises mostly cloudy skies with highs hovering around just 12 degrees. The weather stays consistent into the week, with Tuesday granting a chance of snow showers and a high near 11 degrees, according to the official forecast provided by the National Weather Service.
With Wednesday and Thursday yet another gusty pair of days with highs in the mid-teens and low twenties respectively, and the possibility of more snow showers, Detroiters are in for a prolonged winter experience. While the snowfall may not be substantial in volume, the persistent cold and formidable winds are sure to make the week feel all the longer for those on the ground.
