FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, December 19, 2025 through Monday, December 22, 2025
PM-2.5: 24-hour average Fine Particulate concentrations are expected to be mostly Good (AQI Green) to Low Moderate (AQI Yellow).
FORECAST DISCUSSION
The short break in the cold weather streak we have endured during December ended abruptly Thursday evening with the passage of a strong cold front. Temperatures, which had reached 50 degrees in many areas, are plunging back into the mid-20’s for a high on Friday.
As the cold front advances eastward, an approaching high-pressure ridge will moderate Saturday’s temperatures back into the mid-30’s. Following that, a weak clipper system is expected to pass through the region during Sunday plunging temperatures back into the 20’s.
Christmas week is trending towards warmer weather with above-normal temperatures expected throughout the week. That indicates that, despite extremely cold weather and heavy snow pack from early December, we will probably not see much of a white Christmas, at least in the Lower Peninsula.
On a positive note, astronomical winter begins on Sunday, which means days will start getting longer.
In terms of Air Quality, we begin the weekend with Good Air Quality with the colder northwest winds. However, as we see some additional melting during Saturday, odds increase for Air Quality to creep into the Low Moderate range, in some areas.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Air Quality is expected to remain Good to Low Moderate entering the weekend.