Metro area rainy; heavy snow in parts of Mich.
The welcomed warm-up weather Metro Detroit has experienced the past few days is about to give way to — gulp — winter-like temperatures yet again.
But wait, it’s April, you say. Weather forecasters predict, though, it might be until the end of the month when temperatures finally usher in permanent warmer trends that lead into summer.
On Friday, Metro Detroit reached a high of 55 degrees that will drop into the upper 30s on Saturday. Sunday may see a rise to the mid-40s and then back down into the lower 40s on Monday, the start of the work week.
Metro Detroit is expected to receive heavy rain and is on a Winter Storm Watch until Sunday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a flood watch for Lakeshore areas from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.
In Metro Detroit, winds between 20-30 mph from the northeast are expected and could affect power lines. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy issued severe weather warnings and possible power outage notices.
But it could be worse. The northern part of the mitten, starting north of Flint all the way to the Upper Peninsula, will experience cold in the lower 30s to 20s and lots of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Alpena and Gaylord could get as much as 8 inches of snow from Friday through Saturday. And the Grand Rapids region will also feel more winter-like temperatures with some possible freezing rain and light snow.
“There’s nothing out of the ordinary this time of the year as we head into a transition season,” said Andrew Arnold of the National Weather Service office in White Lake Township. “Sometimes you can get these big lulls that develop and what they’re doing is they are pulling in some cold air from the north as they develop.”
Arnold said that cold air and a pressure system moves eastward and, much to the chagrin of Metro Detroiters, pulls in more of the cold air down to the southern region of the state. Translation: More chilly temperatures.
“So ahead of it, we’re getting that push of warm air which kind of feels like spring, and then right after it passes, you are getting that surge of cold air with it and behind it,” Arnold said. “There’s nothing too out of the ordinary for something like that to happen this time of year.”
Arnold said after the cold system passes through, the chilly air is “going to hang around through at least towards the end of April, unfortunately.”
“But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be like teens and 20s,” he said. “But it’s just kind of going to be below average for the most part.”
The normal high for this time of the year is in the 50s.
Consumers Energy said it was preparing to place a second mobile storm unit near Jackson and Alma areas.
Consumers Energy advised customers to stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines as well as anything they may be touching, and that operating a generator may produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and deadly gas.
Extended forecast
Saturday: Periods of rain with high temp around 42 degrees and low around 33.
Sunday: Rain with a high of 42 degrees; low of 33 degrees.
Monday: Showers of rain or snow with a low of 32 and a high around 40 degrees.
Tuesday: Highs of 46; low temperatures around freezing. It will be cloudy.
Wednesday. Showers possible. High of 49 with a low of 35 degrees.
Source: AccuWeather
lfleming@detroitnews.com
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