The Midwest is tracking a midweek storm system that could create hazardous travel conditions across Michigan on Tuesday, with a freezing rain threat stretching from northern Michigan south into the Detroit metro area. The primary concern is a rain-to-freezing-rain transition, followed by periods of snow as colder air arrives.
On Tuesday morning, precipitation is expected to spread across northern Michigan, initially falling as rain. However, cold air near the surface may allow rain to freeze on contact, particularly across interior northern Lower Michigan and parts of the Upper Peninsula. This setup raises concern for icy roads, bridges, and overpasses, even if ice accumulations remain light.
As the system pushes south through the day, freezing rain or a rain-and-freezing-rain mix may extend into central and southeast Michigan, including areas near Saginaw, Flint, Ann Arbor, and Detroit. Surface temperatures near or just below freezing could allow slick conditions to develop quickly, especially on untreated roadways.
By Tuesday afternoon and evening, colder air moving in from the northwest may cause precipitation to transition from freezing rain to snow, especially across northern and central Michigan. In southern Michigan and the Detroit area, the changeover may be brief or incomplete, but wet roads could quickly turn slick as temperatures fall.
The main concern is travel safety. Even a thin glaze of ice, followed by snow, can create dangerous driving conditions with little warning. Visibility may remain good, masking the hazard and increasing crash risk during commutes.
Drivers are urged to slow down, avoid sudden braking, and allow extra travel time. Conditions should gradually improve late Tuesday night, but lingering icy spots may persist into early Wednesday. Residents are encouraged to monitor updates closely, as small temperature changes could significantly affect impacts across Michigan.
