According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm bringing freezing rain and sleet to Michigan may cause significant icing in parts of the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula on Friday night and Saturday.
Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are under a winter storm watch, with a system expected to hit Michigan on Friday afternoon and last until Saturday morning.
Furthermore, Lake Michigan is under a hazardous weather outlook, parts of Lake Superior are under a gale warning, and a small craft advisory is in effect along the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
The National Weather Service predicts a mix of rain, sleet, freezing rain, and high winds this weekend. The NWS Gaylord office predicted at least a quarter inch of ice accumulation, which could result in power outages. The M-28 corridor in the Upper Peninsula could see 1-2 inches of sleet accumulation.
The storm is expected to hit Sault Ste. Marie around 2 p.m. Friday and have its strongest impact across the eastern U.P. and Lower Peninsula between 11 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday.
“After a brief lull Saturday afternoon, another system moves in and brings more wintry weather,” the NWS Gaylord office stated. “Many of the same areas impacted by freezing rain and sleet Friday night into Saturday will see another round of icing and sleet accumulations.”
How much freezing rain will northern Michigan get?
Northern Michigan is in for an icy weekend with sleet and freezing rain, according to the Gaylord NWS office.
The first wintry weather mix is expected from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning, followed by more rain and snow Saturday night through Monday, according to the NWS.
Between 2 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, parts of the region could receive at least 0.25 inches to 0.50 inches of ice.
The Lower Peninsula will see the most significant accumulations from St. Ignace to Rogers City along the Lake Huron shoreline.
Ice accumulation may occur in areas ranging from Charlevoix to Gaylord and Mio, and then toward Alpena.
Traverse City, Grayling, Mio, and other areas farther south are less likely to experience icing, according to the NWS.
In addition to freezing rain, the NWS predicts high winds in northern Michigan over the weekend. Sustained winds of 20 mph are expected in the St. Ignace and Cheboygan areas Friday. Gusts could reach mid-30 mph on Friday and Sunday.
Over the weekend, temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s during the day and drop to the 20s at night.
How much freezing rain will the Upper Peninsula get?
The Marquette NWS office reports that a wintry mix will bring ice to the area on Friday.
A mix of rain and freezing rain will begin Friday morning, transitioning to primarily freezing rain and sleet by late Friday.
The weather agency predicts snow showers and freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet, before 1 p.m., followed by freezing rain between 1 and 2 p.m. Rain showers will continue after 2 p.m. Friday, with a high around 34.
“Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice,” according to the National Weather Service. “Travel could be virtually impossible. The hazardous conditions may affect the Friday evening commute.”
The weather agency predicts heavy, wet snowfall on Saturday night and Sunday.
The highs on Sunday will be near freezing before dropping to the 20s overnight.
How will the weather be in southeast Michigan this weekend?
Southeast Michigan will not be affected by the winter storm that hit northern Michigan over the weekend, but the area will receive rain.
Friday’s temperatures will be in the 60s, and they will not fall below freezing overnight.
Rain is expected throughout the weekend, but it will only total about a quarter of an inch.
What’s the weekend weather in west Michigan?
An active frontal boundary will form across Michigan this weekend, according to the weather service. The front will bring rounds of rain and possibly thunderstorms.
“A sharp temperature contrast will exist across the front, with temperatures ranging from the 30 and 40s in northern Michigan to near 70 south,” said the National Weather Service (NWS).
On Friday, temperatures in the Grand Rapids area will be around 65 degrees with about a quarter-inch of rain.
Temperatures will remain warm on Saturday and Sunday before dropping to the 40s on Monday, with rain turning to snow.
What kind of weather will mid-Michigan see this week?
This weekend, temperatures in the 50s and 60s are expected in Lansing and throughout mid-Michigan, with rain.
On Saturday, winds will gust up to 25 mph as the rain continues.
