What is a freeze warning? A frost advisory? Know the difference
When temperatures start to drop below 32 degrees, the National Weather Service issues three types of alerts. Here’s what you need to know.
Michigan is in for a rainy and snowy weekend, marking the first measurable snowfall — with some areas getting plenty to measure.
“Winter arrives for much of the U.P. this weekend as the coldest air so far this season brings lake effect snow showers to north and northwest wind snow belts,” the National Weather Service in Marquette said on X on Nov. 7. “Localized heavier snowfall is possible Saturday/Sunday where dominant lake effect snow bands set up.”
Snow is expected statewide beginning on Saturday, Nov. 8. The central UP is forecast to see the heaviest snow accumulation, according to the NWS Probabilistic Precipitation Portal, from Nov. 7-10. Munising is expected to receive 5-7 inches of snow — and up to 15 inches. Surrounding areas, including Marquette, are forecast to get 3-8 inches of lake-effect snow.
The Munising area received 257.1 inches of snow from Sept. 1, 2024, to June 1, 2025.
In the Lower Peninsula, the heaviest snow will fall along Lake Michigan’s shoreline due to lake effect, with Ludington getting 3-6 inches and St. Joseph in the 2- to 8-inch range.
“Our first accumulating snow chances arrive this weekend as cold air ushers in lake effect snow showers on Saturday (Nov. 8). Best snow chances appear to be Saturday night through Sunday (Nov. 9), especially near the Lake Michigan and Huron shorelines. Stay tuned to the latest forecast for updates,” the NWS in Gaylord said on X on Nov. 7.
Lighter snow is forecast for central, eastern and southeast Michigan, with Detroit receiving the least — about 1 inch of accumulation.
Temperatures are also expected to drop this weekend as the cold front sweeps through.
In the Lower Peninsula, highs will range in the 30s-40s, then drop to 20s-30s at night. Gaylord is expected to see the coldest low of 18 degrees on Sunday, Nov. 9.
In the Upper Peninsula, highs will be in the 20s-30s, with lows in the 20s and teens. Ironwood is forecast to see a low of 18 degrees on Nov. 9.
Snowfall is expected to linger into early next week through Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Here’s the National Weather Forecast for cities around Michigan this weekend:
Is it going to snow in Detroit this weekend?
Detroit is likely to get about 1 inch of snow by Monday. Here’s the forecast for Detroit:
- Nov. 8: Increasing clouds, with a high near 48. At night, rain mainly after 1 a.m. Low around 35.
- Nov. 9: Rain likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Gusts as high as 22 mph. At night, rain and snow before 10 p.m., then snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
When will it snow in Lansing?
Lansing is expected to see 1-4 inches of snow this weekend by Monday. Here’s the forecast for Lansing:
- Nov. 8: Rain after 1 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 45. At night, rain showers likely before 10 p.m., then snow showers likely, possibly mixed with rain. Cloudy, with a low around 31.
- Nov. 9: Rain and snow showers before 4 p.m., then a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. At night, more snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Is it expected to snow in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids will see about 1.9 inches of snow, but could get up to 5. Here’s the forecast for Grand Rapids:
- Nov. 8: Showers after 1 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 45. At night, rain showers before 10 p.m., then rain and snow. Low around 31.
- Nov. 9: Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. At night, snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.
What will the weather be like in southwest Michigan?
Coldwater will get 1-3 inches of snow. Here’s the forecast for Coldwater:
- Nov. 8: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. At night, rain before 1 a.m. then rain and snow. Low around 31.
- Nov. 9: Snow possibly mixed with rain before 4 p.m., then a chance of snow. High near 40. At night, snow likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Kalamazoo will get 1-5 inches of snow by Monday. Here’s the forecast for Kalamazoo:
- Nov. 8: Rain after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. At night, rain before 1 a.m., then rain and snow. Low around 30.
- Nov. 9: Snow likely possibly mixed with rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. At night, snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Benton Harbor is forecast to see about 2 inches of snow, but could get up to 11 inches. Here’s the forecast for St. Joseph and Benton Harbor:
- Nov. 8: Rain mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 49. At night, more rain with a low around 34.
- Nov. 9: Rain before 4 p.m., then rain and snow. High near 42. At night, rain and snow becoming all snow after 10 p.m. Low around 28.
How much snow will northern Michigan get this weekend?
Gaylord will receive 1-3 inches of snow. Here’s the forecast for Gaylord:
- Nov. 8: Partly sunny, with a high near 36. At night, snow likely mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
- Nov. 9: Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. At night, snow likely mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Traverse City could get 3-10 inches of snow. About 6.5 inches is expected closer to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Here’s the forecast for Traverse City:
- Nov. 8: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. At night, snow possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 1 a.m. Low around 29.
- Nov. 9: Snow expected. High near 38. At night, more snow with a low around 24.
Alpena will get 1-5 inches of snow. Here’s the forecast for Alpena:
- Nov. 8: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. At night, snow likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.
- Nov. 9: Snow likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. At night, snow expected. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Where will it snow in the Upper Peninsula this weekend?
The weather service says Marquette could get 3 to 11 inches of snow by Monday. Here’s the forecast for Marquette:
- Nov. 8: Snow expected, mainly after 1 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 37. At night, Snow likely. 20 mph wind gusts. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.
- Nov. 9: Snow showers. High near 34. 25 mph wind gusts. At night, more snow with a low around 26.
The NWS said Sault Ste. Marie could receive up to 7 inches of snow by Monday. Here’s the forecast for Sault Ste. Marie:
- Nov. 8: Isolated snow showers after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. At night, snow likely, mainly between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
- Nov. 9: Snow likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. At night, more snow with a low around 21.
The forecast for Ironwood calls for 4-11 inches of snow. Here’s the forecast for Ironwood:
- Nov. 8: Snow mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. At night, more snow expected with a low around 18.
- Nov. 9: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. At night, more snow likely with a low around 19.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
