Dropping temperatures and strong winds Friday

A low pressure system currently near Lake Michigan is bringing snow into Northeast Michigan this evening. Widespread snow will continue overnight to early Friday, then snow will gradually diminish. Lake effect snow will be more prevalent over the western side of the state. Some snow showers could affect areas north and west of Alpena beyond Friday morning.

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for all of Northeast Michigan until 7 a.m. Friday. Total snowfall amounts of 3-5 inches are expected. Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for the areas in pink, where lake effect snow off of Lake Michigan will result in more snow. (Those warnings do not include Northeast Michigan or the Alpena area.)

Much colder temperatures are on the way to Michigan. Highs today reached 42 degrees at Alpena airport this afternoon, before the snow began to move in. Compare that to 29 degrees in Duluth, Minnesota and 16 degrees in Bismarck, North Dakota. That’s a sign of the arctic air mass heading toward our area.

Friday, winds will pick up from the west to around 20 mph. That will usher dropping temperatures and bone-chilling cold by Friday night.

Wind chills will drop below zero early Saturday — that’s how it’s going to feel as a result of cold temperatures combined with any wind. Early Sunday is looking even more chilly.

Friday: Diminishing snow and dropping temperatures. Predawn temperatures will be near 30 degrees. Temperatures will fall to around 22 degrees in the afternoon. Evening temperatures will go into the teens.

Saturday: Chance of flurries, but no significant snow, and very cold. Early-morning temperatures will begin in the lower teens. Afternoon highs will reach only near 18 degrees. Evening temperatures will cool to the lower teens.

Sunday: Very cold with a chance of flurries in the morning. Early-morning lows will drop to about 6 degrees. Highs will be near 14 degrees. Evening temperatures will drop to the single digits.