Major Winter Storm Can Clip MI, Bigger Storm Next Week

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN — A major winter storm moving up the east coast can bring snow to southeastern Michigan this weekend, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

While the focus of the storm is centered on areas along the Interstate 95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, the storm's northern tip is expected to move through the lower Great Lakes region and brush the metro Detroit area, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

Forecasters expect the metro Detroit area will see snow totals between just a dusting to light accumulations at best from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Other areas from the southern Appalachians to the Northeast are expected to see a mix of heavy snow and freezing rain, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

"The storm is expected to blossom across the Southern states to start the weekend, likely bringing along a swath of heavy rain and thunderstorms," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said. "At the same time, farther to the north over the Ohio Valley, the storm can expand northward into cold enough air for snow to fall."

A bigger and more impactful winter storm is expected to cross the central plains and hit Michigan next Tuesday/Wednesday, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

It's too early to look at snowfall projections, but some local forecasters say the storm can bring up to 4 inches of fresh snow to southeastern Michigan.

However, if the storm shifts farther to the north, rain can cut into the snow in southeastern Michigan, knocking those totals down to possibly just a dusting, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

Here's the extended forecast for southeastern Michigan:

Thursday: Sunny; High 31, Low 22

Friday: Sunny; High 35, Low 26

Saturday: Snow; High 38, Low 28

Sunday: Snow; High 39, Low 29

Monday: Cloudy; High 38, Low 31