Detroit is starting Veterans Day near 39 degrees under clear skies, but the mild, quiet weather will not last all week. Temperatures should climb to about 55 degrees Wednesday before clouds thicken, rain moves in Wednesday night and a colder pattern settles across southeast Michigan.
Clouds Build After A Mild Start
Wednesday morning begins with light winds and mostly clear conditions, while afternoon temperatures rise through the 50s. The sky will turn mostly cloudy by midday, with temperatures easing back toward the low 50s later in the afternoon.
The National Weather Service’s Detroit/Pontiac office expects light rain to spread across southeast Michigan late Wednesday and into the evening. The chance of rain reaches 50%, with most likely rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch and an overnight low near 43 degrees.
Colder Air Brings Wind And A Rain-Snow Mix
Thursday will feel noticeably different, with cloudy skies, a high near 46 and north winds of 8 to 15 mph. Gusts could reach 26 mph, making the day feel colder than the thermometer suggests, while rain remains possible through the afternoon.
Friday could bring minor wet snow in the Thumb, while conditions elsewhere, including Detroit, should be dry.
Weekend Weather Improves
The weekend should bring a modest rebound, with mostly sunny skies and highs near 44 Saturday and 47 Sunday. Overnight lows will fall to around 30 Saturday night and 32 Sunday night, so morning plans will call for a heavier jacket even as afternoons turn more manageable.
Monday will be partly sunny, with highs of 47 to 48 degrees and a low near freezing Monday night; Tuesday will be mostly sunny, with a high of 47 to 48 degrees. No land-based watches or warnings are listed for the Detroit area, though boaters should note that a Small Craft Advisory is scheduled for Lake St. Clair from Thursday morning into early Friday.
Snowfall and Small-Craft Context
Detroit’s first measurable snow—at least 0.1 inch—typically occurs on or around Nov. 16, according to The Detroit News, citing National Weather Service data. That timing puts mid-November near the city’s usual start for measurable snowfall. For the Great Lakes’ Central region, National Weather Service guidance sets Small Craft Advisory criteria at sustained winds or frequent gusts of 22 to 33 knots, inclusive, and/or waves greater than 4 feet. The Lake St. Clair advisory signals that winds or waves are expected to meet those thresholds.
