The latest report from the National Weather Service spells out a wintry week for Detroit residents, with today's snow expected to slow by afternoon and accumulation reaching roughly two inches. The conditions are likely to impact travel, so commuters should plan as icy roads and reduced visibility can pose real dangers.
As temperatures today will hover near the freezing point, the southwest winds are set to pick up at speeds of 11 to 15 mph, gusting up to 28 mph, making it feel much colder and causing the snow to drift and visibility to fluctuate for those braving the winter spectacle. Tonight offers a small respite with only a 20% chance of snow showers after 1 am, though the winds persisting from the west-southwest will continue to push the cold through the city streets, bringing gusts as high as 26 mph, as per the National Weather Service.
Looking ahead to Thursday, Detroiters will face partially sunny skies, yet temperatures will take a plunge, with mercury levels predicted to drop to around 21 degrees by mid-afternoon, and even lower at night reaching a frigid low around 4 degrees, making it imperative for residents to bundle up and take measures against the biting cold that feels even more daunting with wind chill values anticipated to dip to -7.
The high pressure system bringing in the cold is also delivering clearer skies, we can expect mostly sunny conditions on Friday, though with a high only near 9 degrees the cold is not departing and the west northwest winds will contribute to the chill, gusting up to 22 mph, then going into the weekend temperatures are expected to linger in the single digits with Saturday's high peaking around 8 degrees, and a slight chance of snow returning to the forecast for Saturday night and Sunday.
The cold spell is forecasted to gradually ease into next week, with Monday and Tuesday offering mostly sunny to partly sunny skies and cresting highs of 18 and 21 degrees, respectively, which is a small but perhaps appreciated reprieve from the teeth-clenching chill that is defining the end of January for this Michigan metropolis.
