Our long duration ice storm for (parts of Northern Michigan) is finally coming to an end by Monday morning with a couple of quiet days early this week. We do have yet another round of snow and potentially freezing rain Wednesday which will work its way across Northern Michigan. Longer range outlooks keep it on the cooler side with some snow chances in the early to mid part of next week.
The highest ice accumulation we found was at Elmira in Otsego County where 1.5″ accumulated which is about the highest I’ve ever seen in my 23 years forecasting here. Obviously this did a number on trees and powerlines.
MONDAY (MAR 31): A few snow showers expected to start the day on the very back edge of our departing system as the ice will be done with as temperatures will be below freezing to start the day. Any light snow quickly ends. By midday but more so into the afternoon/evening hours drier air invades breaking up the clouds leading to some later day sunshine. High temperatures will range between 28-40F. North to NW wind 15-25 and brisk.
TUESDAY (APR 1): A pleasant but tad cool start to April. Perhaps a little patchy fog early but much of the day will see plentiful sunshine and dry weather. Daytime highs will reach 32-40F. NE to SE wind 5-15 mph.
WEDNESDAY (APR 2): Low pressure will track from near Sioux City, Iowa to north of Sault Ste. Marie Wednesday into early Thursday dragging a front across the area. It will initially be cold enough for snow in the morning/early afternoon but at least by afternoon areas in the Lower Peninsula will see a switchover to freezing rain or just plain rain. Across the Eastern U.P. snow arrives early afternoon and may remain all snow until late day before a switch to freezing rain and sleet. High temperatures will range between 35-48F.
LONGER RANGE FORECAST: Uneventful weather Thursday-Sunday with the best chance for some sunshine arriving Friday. Temperatures for the most part will remain in the 40’s. As mentioned above, there are signs of some colder air next week and perhaps some snow showers or lake effect snow showers at times early next week.
Meteorologist Joe Charlevoix
