Brace yourselves, Michigan — the snowstorm everyone’s been watching is still right on track. A few key updates this Saturday morning make the forecast even more interesting, with new warnings expanding across parts of the state and a notable shift for Detroit and Ann Arbor. But here’s where things get a little tricky — some areas might see less snow than expected, while others could face heavier bursts late into Sunday.
The National Weather Service has broadened its Winter Storm Warnings to include Michigan’s Sunrise Side — starting from Saginaw Bay and stretching north through Alpena and Rogers City. Even parts of Mackinac County in the Upper Peninsula are now in the warning zone. Meanwhile, the Thumb region and portions of metro Detroit have been downgraded slightly to a Winter Weather Advisory due to slightly lower snowfall totals — roughly one to two inches less than surrounding counties.
As for timing, the storm warning expirations vary across the state: central Michigan’s warning ends around 10 a.m. Sunday, eastern Lower Michigan around 1 p.m., and the southwest corner — still dealing with lingering lake-effect snow — stays under warning until about 7 p.m.
Although the overall storm pattern hasn’t changed dramatically overnight, there’s a key adjustment for southeast Michigan, including Ann Arbor and Detroit. What was once expected to be a messy mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain now looks like mostly snow — though a brief period of rain could sneak in near sunrise Sunday in Monroe and downtown Detroit. Still, meteorologists caution that this could flip back again depending on the storm’s exact path. If the low-pressure center travels northeast across Ann Arbor into the Thumb, the area just southeast of that track could see more of a mix. It’s a fine line — and one worth watching.
Radar projections show the snow starting light at first, especially for the initial two hours. Eastern and northern Lower Michigan won’t see significant flakes until around noon, while southwest Michigan should start accumulating as the morning progresses. By late afternoon, specifically around 5 p.m., snow should be falling across nearly the entire Lower Peninsula. Expect slick and slushy roads to develop in Detroit, Flint, and up through Cadillac and Traverse City. The far northeastern corner, however, might stay drier for a bit longer.
By 8 p.m. tonight, nearly all of Michigan is in full snow mode, including much of the Upper Peninsula. Southern Michigan appears to be the bullseye for the heaviest snow in this system. Forecast models remain consistent from overnight, calling for general accumulations between 4 and 7 inches across most of the state.
The southwest quarter of Michigan — influenced by lake-effect boosts — could see totals reaching 6 to 11 inches, depending on proximity to Lake Michigan. Cities like Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Battle Creek, and Ludington could wake up to around 8 to 10 inches by the time the snow ends. Traverse City and Cadillac are slated for around 5 to 8 inches.
Eastern Lower Michigan will likely see a bit less, roughly 4 to 7 inches, with areas such as Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland sitting closer to the midrange. Detroit’s total is forecast at 3 to 5 inches, though the exact number could vary if that mix zone reappears.
The silver lining? Sunday afternoon might bring a brief reprieve, with temperatures nudging above freezing — around 33°F in southern Michigan. That means roads may start to improve later in the day, though lake-effect snow will continue in the southwest.
Travel tip: If you’re planning to hit the road this weekend, the best bet is to leave early Saturday morning or wait until after 3 p.m. Sunday once conditions ease. But keep in mind, areas around the southern edge of Lake Michigan may still see sudden bursts of heavy snow.
For ongoing updates and live radar imagery, visit MLive.com/weather. And here’s a thought — Michigan winters always test drivers’ patience. Do you think weather alert systems should be stricter about discouraging travel during these storms, or should it be up to individual responsibility? Drop your take in the comments — this one might stir some strong opinions.
