Forecast: Active weather pattern ahead for metro Detroit

But looking better for Opening Day!

DETROIT – Well, we did it again: for those of you keeping track, we tied our record low this morning when the temperature dropped to 11 degrees.

The old record was set in 2001. Don't worry about record cold over the next week, as a milder (not warm, just milder) pattern takes hold.

Tonight, expect increasing clouds after midnight, with lows near 20 probably occurring around midnight, and temps then rising a few degrees toward dawn. Southeast wind at 5 to 10 mph.

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Thursday forecast:

Snow or rain and snow develop by midday Thursday, and then changes to all rain during the afternoon. Highs reaching the low 40s by late afternoon, with a south wind developing at 10 to 20 mph. As I mentioned yesterday, something I'll be keeping an eye on is how dry the air is to start the day.

If the moisture arrives before the dry air moves out, then there will be a more sustained band of snow before the changeover to rain. If the dry air moves out earlier, then we may start as a mix and quickly change to rain. Rain persists throughout Thursday night, with temperatures nearly steady in the upper 30s to near 40.

Friday forecast:

Rain diminishes by late Friday morning, with some sun developing during the afternoon. Becoming windy, with highs in the mid to upper 40s. Increasing clouds Friday night. Lows in the upper 20s to near 30.

Weekend forecast:

Today's computer models keep Saturday's storm far enough south to keep the heaviest precipitation just south of the state line. There's still some uncertainty as to if we'll see light rain, snow, or both -- I'll try to get more specific tomorrow. Highs in the upper 30s. Partly cloudy Saturday night, with lows in the mid 20s.

Mostly sunny on Sunday -- a great early spring day -- with highs in the upper 40s. Becoming partly cloudy Sunday night, with lows in the mid 30s.

Opening Day forecast:

Things are looking better for Opening Day! This afternoon's long range computer models suggest a slightly slower trend with the next storm system, which would delay the chance of showers until late in the day or even Monday night! Keep your fingers crossed! Highs in the mid 50s -- our warmest day of the next seven -- great timing! Rain likely Monday night, with lows in the mid 30s.

Rain ends Tuesday morning, with a few wet snowflakes possible. Highs in the low to mid 40s.