DETROIT (WWJ) - Prepare those blowers, folks. It'll be snowier than usual in Michigan this winter, according to scientists with the federal government.
Long-ranger forecasters say wetter than average conditions are likely throughout the Great Lakes region; and, overall, it's expected to be a brutal winter in the Midwest due to a strong polar vortex.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released it's 2019-20 U.S. Winter Outlook, which covers December through February. Here's a summary:
Precipitation
- Wetter-than-average conditions are most likely in Alaska and Hawaii this winter, along with portions of the Northern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, the Great Lakes and parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
- Drier-than-average conditions are most likely for Louisiana, parts of Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma as well areas of northern and central California.
- The remainder of the U.S. falls into the category of equal chances for below-, near-, or above-average precipitation.
Drought
- Abnormally dry conditions are present across much of the Southern U.S., with areas of the most severe drought in the Four Corners region of the Southwest, central Texas and parts of the Southeast.
- Drought is expected to improve in portions of the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Alaska and Hawaii, while persisting in central Texas and the Southwest.
- Drought development is expected to occur in parts of central California.
So, when should we expect to see the snow? AccuWeather's longrange forecast predicts the worst of winter will arrive a bit late; but when it gets here, look out.
Signaling that winter is near, the National Weather Service in Detroit said they would no longer be issuing Frost Advisories or Freeze Warnings as of Friday, for the remainder of the cold season. Frost Advisories and Freeze Warnings will be issued again at the start of the next growing season in the Spring of 2020.
In the short-term, it's shaping up to be a beautiful fall weekend.
"It's on the cool side out there, but, hey, a lot on sunshine," WWJ AccuWeather Meteorologist Carl Erickson said Friday. "The breeze is not as strong as yesterday, so if you're in the sun it's not too bad...we do get up to a high of 56."
Erikson said it'll be even nicer over the weekend, with some sunshine with a high of 62 Saturday, and a lot of sunshine with a high of 68 on Sunday. There's no rain in the forecast until Monday.
Know before you go, this winter and anytime in metro Detroit. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest forecast during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. >>LISTEN LIVE!
