SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) – A First Alert Weather Day has been newly declared for today as a fast-moving system is going to bring widespread, steady snowfall with it. The timing of this snow is going to be inconvenient for any travel late this afternoon and evening. This effect is likely going to be amplified by the holiday rush too. Many more details on the timing of snow is below.
On the flip-side, this snow is always welcome news for our snowmobilers and skiers! Additionally, this is going to significantly increase our chances for a White Christmas. At this point, this is likely for nearly all of mid-Michigan as temperatures wait until the weekend to significantly warm up.
A Winter Weather Advisory has been extended to the entire TV5 viewing area. More details on the advisories can be found on our Weather Alerts page by clicking here.
Today & Tonight
Even though the First Alert Weather Day is in place today, one important thing to know is that the morning here is going to be in good shape still! Despite snow on the radar, it’s snow virga (snow that evaporates before reaching the ground) due to a layer of dry air in the way. Once this layer becomes saturated near noon is when the snow will actually start reaching the ground for more of the area. The one exception for this morning will be our northern areas. Spots like Houghton Lake, West Branch, and Whittemore will see snow falling already by 9 AM.
By noon today, snow showers will be able to pick up more in the Bay Region and for the northern Thumb such as Caseville, Port Austin, and Bad Axe.
Notice at the bottom of the map near Fenton and Grand Blanc, there’s a sliver of pink which indicates freezing rain or wintry mix. Our data suggests this would be freezing rain, or drizzle for these areas for a somewhat brief period of time. This will be from roughly noon to 3 PM. With pavement temperatures below-freezing, any untreated roads will turn to ice very quickly.
After that time, snow will be falling for all of our area. In the snapshot below, notice snow shower coverage could still be a little bit broken south of the Bay Region, otherwise it’ll be much more widespread to the north.
If you’re heading out for your holiday travels after-dark, snowfall will be even more widespread with some snowfall rates at 0.5″ per hour. While not a whiteout at that rate, the steady and consistent nature of snowfall will allow it to continue to add-up somewhat quickly on roadways. Travel is expected to be slower during this time, we project drivetimes will on average be around 25% longer than normal.
Around midnight is when the last of the snow showers will be leaving mid-Michigan, but at that time just leaving the Thumb. Many areas will see snow end even before midnight. Skies are going to stay mostly cloudy for the rest of the night.
Once this system leaves, snow totals will be varied but increase as you travel north. 3″ to 5″ with isolated 6″ spots is expected in Standish and anywhere north of there. The 3″ to 5″ range is also expected for Huron County due to enhancement from the Saginaw Bay, however the isolated 6″ potential appears unlikely in that area. 2″ to 4″ will be most common through Central Michigan, the Bay Region, and the central Thumb. 1″ to 2″ is most likely for anywhere south of Chesaning and Birch Run (or just north of Clio) as a result of a longer period of poor snowfall rates mostly before 8 PM. Any freezing rain or drizzle in Fenton and Grand Blanc will also cut into snow totals there too.
Highs today reach 32 degrees in the Bay Region, but 20s hold on all day up north. In Flint, highs reach up to 33 degrees briefly. This is where we see some of the wintry mix factoring in. The normal high for December 23rd is 33 degrees so we’ll be right around average today. The wind will sustain from 10 to 15 mph out of the south, with gusts to 20 mph. This wind will keep wind chills in the lower to middle 20s during the afternoon and evening. Lows tonight fall to 27 degrees.
Tuesday
With a light northeast wind, a few isolated lake-effect flurries could come in off of the Saginaw Bay or Lake Huron during the day, otherwise dry weather will ensue with mostly cloudy skies. Highs will reach 33 degrees.
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