Detroit is bracing itself for a major weather system scheduled to arrive on Friday afternoon, which has prompted officials to issue a 4Warn Weather Alert Day for January 11. Residents are advised to prepare for the first significant snowfall of the season, accompanied by gusty winds and brutal wind chills throughout the weekend.

A winter storm watch has been issued for the far northwest suburbs from Livingston County to Sanilac County, effective from 10 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday. While the heart of Metro Detroit is not currently under a watch or advisory, it is expected that one will be issued later on Thursday.

Forecasters project that the precipitation will initially start as snow on Friday, with the peak intensity expected during the late afternoon and evening hours. However, there is still some uncertainty regarding the northward progression of the rain/snow line and its exact location. Further adjustments to the forecast are expected in the next 24-36 hours as meteorologists gain a better understanding of the brief pocket of warm air on Friday night.

If the rain/snow line shifts further north, Southeast Michigan will experience warmer temperatures, resulting in significantly less snowfall. As of Thursday morning, this scenario seems to be the most likely for Metro Detroit. However, it is still possible that the area could receive 2-6 inches of snow before sunrise on Saturday, with lower amounts closer to Monroe where rain is more likely.

The Thumb region and northwest communities, currently under the winter storm watch, are anticipated to receive 6-8 inches of snow by Saturday. The first accumulation is expected during Friday afternoon and early evening, although some rain may reduce the snowfall on Friday night. Lighter-intensity snowfall is predicted for Saturday as colder air moves in.

Snow coverage and intensity will begin increasing on Friday afternoon, initially affecting the southern counties by midday and progressing northward towards M-59 by 3 p.m. Snowfall rates are expected to peak on Friday afternoon and evening, potentially reaching up to an inch per hour.

By 5 p.m. on Friday, heavy snowfall will blanket all of Southeast Michigan, potentially causing disruption to the evening commute. The rain/snow line will bring a transition to rain for southern portions of the area by Friday evening, spreading to the I-94 corridor by 8 p.m. before reaching M-59 by 10 p.m. The period of warm air is expected to be short-lived.

Following the system, an arctic blast of air will descend upon the region. Subzero wind chills are forecasted for Sunday, which will persist into the early part of the following week. Strong winds with gusts of 45-55 mph on Saturday could potentially lead to whiteout conditions and power outages, especially if any wet or rainy precipitation freezes over early Saturday.

Residents are urged to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and take necessary precautions as this winter storm combined with the arctic air is set to impact the Detroit area throughout the weekend.