Michigan – Flags whip in the pre-dawn wind and tree branches rattle across Detroit this morning as the first true blast of winter-like weather sweeps across southeast Michigan. Early rain showers are already coating highways as gusts begin to climb toward 40 mph — a signal of what’s ahead for Thanksgiving travelers.
According to the National Weather Service in Detroit/Pontiac, a Wind Advisory remains in effect from 10 a.m. today through 4 a.m. Thursday, with southwest winds turning west 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph. Drivers on I-75, I-94, and I-96 should expect strong crosswinds, especially for high-profile vehicles. Tree limbs may break, and scattered power outages are possible as gusts peak through the afternoon and evening.
Rain will gradually turn to a rain/snow mix by late afternoon as colder air funnels in behind the front. Temperatures will drop quickly into the 30s, and light snow is likely through the evening. Accumulations should remain under one inch for most areas but could briefly coat grassy surfaces north and west of the metro.
Thanksgiving Day brings calmer conditions — breezy but dry, with highs near 37°F under partly cloudy skies. By Friday, sunshine returns, though highs will struggle to reach the upper 30s, marking the start of a much colder pattern heading into the weekend.
The longer-range outlook hints at a major Arctic front pushing south into the U.S. around December 1, with the potential for heavy snow across the northern states and sharply colder temperatures even reaching into the Midwest.
Five-Day Outlook (Wed–Sun)
• Today: Windy, rain changing to snow, 49°F.
• Thursday: Partly cloudy, 37°F.
• Friday: Sunny, 36°F.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, 36°F.
• Sunday: Cloudy, 38°F, chance of snow.
