FORECAST SUMMARY: Monday March 30th, 2026, through Friday April 3rd, 2026
Ozone:
Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good (Green AQI) range.
PM-2.5:
PM-2.5 concentrations are expected to be in the Good (Green AQI) to low-Moderate (Yellow AQI) range.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
Spring has sprung! Or at least for today, Monday, and tomorrow, Tuesday, as high temperatures are expected to approach 70 degrees in southern Michigan. The upper peninsula is hanging around seasonal norms for this time of the year due to a frontal boundary lingering in the Straits of Mackinac. This is causing warm air to be brought into southern Michigan via southerly flow, whereas the upper peninsula is under northerly flow, keeping their temperatures cooler. Our temperatures, statewide, homogenize come Wednesday however after the passing of a cold front on Tuesday which will bring ample amounts of rain, snow flurries, and temperatures nearing seasonal averages. This will be the first round of precipitation as more mixed precipitation is expected on Thursday with rain, freezing rain, and snow all expected throughout the day as another Low-pressure and front moves through the state. Once the system exits the state, Friday slowly becomes quieter in terms of precipitation, although there may be some breezy conditions as the pressure gradient in between systems balances out.
For air quality, the highest expected day for PM-2.5 concentrations this week will be today, Monday, and into Tuesday before the front and rain moves through. Today in southern Michigan there will be southerly flow which will help to increase fine particulate, along with lighter winds in the morning hours. Winds pick up slightly Monday afternoon which will keep any increases at bay, but low-to-mid Moderate concentrations should be expected for most of the day. Once the front and precipitation move through on Tuesday and early Wednesday morning, any substantial build up of PM-2.5 will be cleaned out as a change in airmass will bring cleaner air. The presence of multiple systems moving through this week along with change in wind direction will help keep air quality mostly Good for the week ahead.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
The first weekend of April will see another system moving through with additional precipitation across the state. This will help keep air quality Good.
Next Forecast update: Friday April 3rd, 2026