FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, March 13, 2026 through Monday, March 16, 2026
PM-2.5: 24-hour average Fine Particulate concentrations are expected to be mostly Good (AQI Green) throughout the forecast period.
FORECAST DISCUSSION
A bit of a messy weekend is on tap leading up to St. Patrick’s Day early next week. Friday’s weather is showing some accumulating snowfall moving in later this morning through midday, with the highest accumulations of 2-4 inches confined to areas along/north of M-46. This is due to strong low-pressure system, which will continue to track across the Great Lakes region passing over northern lower Michigan Friday afternoon. The most noticeable feature of Friday’s weather will likely be strong winds due to a very strong low level wind field. This will bring the highest potential of winds gusts to 40-45 mph, or greater, by early afternoon as winds shift from southwest to west.
Seasonably cool air filters back into the region with drier and much less windy conditions, Saturday, with chilly daytime temperatures likely not reaching 40 degrees.
An active weather pattern returns Saturday night through Sunday with another system set to impact much of the Great Lake’s region. Fortunately, the southern half of the Lower Peninsula should miss the heaviest snowfall which could bring over 2 feet of snow for portions of northern Lower and the Upper Peninsula. Snow potential is still 1-2 inches in the southern lower, however. There is also potential for ice accumulation from freezing rain in Central Michigan Sunday through Sunday night with some computer model solutions producing over a quarter- inch of ice.
Behind the backside of the low, during Monday, a change over to lake-enhanced snow and strong winds is expected, with Southwest Michigan getting in on continued winter weather impacts. Prolonged heavy snow will also be possible across northern or central Lake Huron, pending the final track of the system.
Winter is not over but Spring is just around the corner. On a positive note, Good Air Quality is expected throughout the state, and the trend should continue into early next week.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Air Qulity is expected to continue to be mostly Good entering the upcoming work week.