Michigan – The first true taste of December snow returns to Detroit and southeast Michigan early Sunday morning, as a light but steady system sweeps through from the west. Roads may start slick, windshields frosted, and visibility lowered as flakes begin to fall before sunrise.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac are tracking a clipper-style system expected to bring 1 to 2 inches of snow through midday Sunday, ending by early afternoon. The light accumulation may seem modest, but with temperatures hovering near 30°F, untreated surfaces could glaze quickly, creating slippery travel along I-75, I-94, and I-96.
A brief mix of freezing drizzle could accompany the snow, especially near the Detroit River and southern suburbs. Drivers should reduce speed, use low beams, and avoid abrupt braking on bridges and ramps where black ice tends to form first.
By Sunday night, skies clear and temperatures tumble into the teens, setting up a cold, crisp Monday with highs only in the upper 20s. The early week stays dry before another snow system arrives Tuesday night, potentially mixing with rain by Wednesday.
Long-range models show an active Great Lakes pattern building Dec. 11–17, with frequent clipper systems possibly bringing on-and-off light snow and bursts of lake effect into the second week of December. That timing could coincide with early holiday travel, meaning drivers across Michigan and the upper Midwest should stay alert for changing conditions.
