Forecast calls for less snow in metro Detroit

Significant March cold snap on the way

DETROIT – Rain showers will change to light snow showers tonight, with lows in the upper 20s.

Although I don't expect accumulation from the overnight snow showers, something to keep an eye on is icy patches developing as a result of surface moisture from today's rain freezing when temps fall below 32 degrees. So watch for scattered ice if you head out either late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Thursday forecast:

Thursday itself should be dry, but breezy, with mostly cloudy skies developing breaks by mid-afternoon, and then clearing out by late afternoon or evening. Spring starts at 12:57 p.m. (let's all light a candle in celebration). Highs in the upper 30s. West winds at around 15 to 25 mph. Mostly clear Thursday night, with lows in the mid 20s.

Friday forecast:

Increasing clouds on Friday, with highs in the low to mid 40s. Some of my computer models try to bring in a light shower by late afternoon (which isn't out of the question), but I think most of the precipitation should hold off until Friday night.

Friday night storm:

Here's the latest on the Friday night storm: Most computer models bring in rain showers, and then downplay the accumulating snow potential once the colder air moves in, because that colder air is also going to be much drier air. So, although rain showers will change to snow showers, accumulations across the metro area right now appear to be less than an inch, up to an inch along the I-69 corridor, and perhaps an inch or two well north of I-69. Lows in the low 30s.

I'll keep a close eye on the storm path, as any southward adjustment in the track will increase our chance for accumulating snow. If there are any changes, I'll update you on Twitter -- you can follow me at @PaulGrossLocal4.

Weekend forecast:

Becoming partly cloudy on Saturday. Highs in the upper 30s. Partly cloudy with a light snow shower possible Saturday night as a weak upper level disturbance crosses the Great Lakes. Lows in the upper teens.

Partly cloudy to mostly sunny on Sunday. Highs in the upper 20s. Note: this starts a very cold stretch of late-March weather. I dug deep into my weather database, and I don't think we'll challenge any record lows (or any records for lowest high temperature) over the next few days. However, we probably haven't seen a March cold stretch like this since March 1993...we had several days back then with highs in the 20s. Mostly clear Sunday night, with lows in the low teens.

Next week:

Increasing clouds on Monday, with highs near 30. Cloudy with a chance of light snow Monday night into Tuesday. At this point, it looks as if this shouldn't be a big deal for us, as we'll just have a weak trough of low pressure crossing the state. However, one of my more reliable long range computer models suggests development of a significant Nor'easter winter storm for the east coast.

It's way too early, of course, to say with any confidence if this will materialize, but keep this in the back of your mind if you have travel plans out east Tuesday or Wednesday.

Weather links:

· Detailed forecast
· Radar
· Temperatures