Some of the coldest air yet is sitting over Michigan and the Great Lakes, and I hate to say it, but you've probably figured out, it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Let's take a look at what we have...
WINTER WEATHER MISCHIEF CLOSE BY: The good news is that the blog area per se does NOT have any winter weather alerts active at the moment, but all you need to do is look west toward the lake, and the northwesterly winds coming across that warmer lake water have the snow box in all sorts of mess. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for Allegan and Van Buren counties, and any county touching one of those two has Winter Weather Advisories up. These will be for lake effect snow. Things get more interesting tomorrow...
LAKE EFFECT INVASION: The lake effect snow that is causing such a headache for the western counties along the lake shore will make the AM commute tomorrow an adventure, as the snow bands push further inland on increasing northwesterly winds. 1-3" is possible in the snow box tonight, and up to 2" is possible tomorrow as far east as I-69. This snow will be blowing and drifting though, so use caution heading into work tomorrow.
IT STAYS BITTER COLD: If you're looking for a break in this cold snap - good luck with that. The upper air pattern is set such that the cold air continues to stay locked in place over the Great Lakes, upper Midwest, and New England. Have a look at these maps:
This is output from the 18Z run of the GFS forecast model. You can see the cold air in the whites and purples. This suggests a high of 20 tomorrow and 14 on Saturday in Grand Rapids, with 21 and 13 in Detroit. Single digit nighttime lows near zero Saturday and Sunday night. Sunshine will be in short supply over the next seven days as well. All in all, your typical mid-winter blues kind of forecast for South Central Michigan.
SUSPECT FOR SNOW: Based on the forecast data, each night from Sunday night through mid-week is suspect for snow, as a series of Clippers zip through the area. You know the drill...a quick shot of snow or two every 24-36 hours, typically short-lived and 2" or less inland, a bit more toward the lake as long as the lake effect snow machine is cranked up, and it is.
LOOKING AHEAD: I really wish I had good news or a major pattern shift in the cards for you, but I don't, not in this 7 day window anyway. Consolation prize is that readings get back to their just above freezing norms starting Wednesday.
Here's the forecast:
Tonight - Cloudy cold. Lows near 8.
Friday - Mainly cloudy continued cold. High only 16.
Friday Night - Cloudy and frigid. Lows near 5.
Saturday - Overcast and cold. High 15.
Sunday - Mainly cloudy, a touch warmer, PM snow develops. High 18.
Monday - Cloudy, snow tapers off late day, warmer. High 34.
Tuesday - Gray skies with perhaps a stray flurry, high 30.
Wednesday - Still not much sun to be found and cold. High 28.
Have a wonderful night,
