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More slush than snow in the forecast
Posted: 12.15.2012 at 1:09 PM
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Saturday's highs will be in the 30s, and the lows will be in the 30s too. With that south wind keeping temperatures well above average, forecasting precipitation type is very difficult.
A system that has tracked toward the Great Lakes from Colorado is now approaching Wisconsin and Michigan bringing some widespread rain to the region, including Upper Michigan, but with temperatures hovering in the low to mid 30s, it is falling with some snow in some spots. With most surface temps above freezing, especially by afternoon, snow accumulation will be minimal to non-existent.
Saturday night will be a couple degrees cooler, but many lows will still be above freezing thanks to a strong cloud cover and a continuing southeast wind. A wintry mix is still likely rather than just snow, but overnight there may be a little accumulation in the western half of the UP, especially inland where it will be coolest. Another spot with some likely accumulation is the far eastern UP where there will be heavier precipitation.
Sunday will again be in the 30s. More rain and snow is likely with the low pressure system as it passes eastward.
Sunday night be see lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Preipitation is likely to turn more into snow and there may be a little more accumulation. As winds shift to a more northwesterly flow, temperatures will slowly drop over the next few days, but not by much.
After the weekend is over, expect a max of 2" of accumulation across Upper Michigan, mainly inland, the higher terrains, and in the far eastern counties. Everywhere should at least see some snowflakes, but with such warm temperatures it won't stick around for long.
Monday through Thursday will be a little cooler, but still well above average with many highs in the 30s. There are some chances for snow on Monday and Tuesday. Next weekend is looking colder after a large system will give some more snow on Thursday.
As of Saturday, the NWS is reporting that we are about 21" below average. Don't expect us to be catching up to seasonal norms anytime soon.