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KEY MESSAGES

- Mainly light snow for parts of northern Michigan this afternoon into tonight.

- Moderating daytime temperatures ahead, with high temperatures back in the 20s Sunday - Monday.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 201 PM EST Fri Jan 30 2026

Pattern Synopsis/Forecast: Upper level trough axis situated from off the coast of Quebec southwestward across the southern Great Lakes into the mid-MS Valley with upper ridging extending from southern CA all the way up to Hudson Bay. This troughing pivots south later tonight with weak ridging nosing into the western Great Lakes on Saturday. Brief/weak uptick in moisture across northern MI this afternoon into this evening, already evidenced by a gradual uptick in light snow showers across parts of the area. Low-mid level flow largely out of the northeast today with near-surface backed more north-northwesterly should aid in keeping any more locally robust/lake enhanced snow showers nearest the Great Lakes shorelines -- primarily northwest lower from Leelanau County and points south.

Forecast Details: Mainly light snow showers continue to filter in across parts of northern MI this afternoon. Primary focus through the remainder of the day revolves around the Lake Huron and Lake Michigan shorelines where snow showers may be locally enhanced at times with small snowflake size resulting in pockets of low visibility. Potential timeframe for more robust snow showers exists through this evening with localized snow accum. of 1-3" possible in sections of Leelanau, Benzie and Manistee counties. Perhaps a localized inch or two in parts of Presque Isle/Alpena and western Chippewa counties. Less than half an inch expected elsewhere. Occasionally breezy winds through this evening, especially near the shoreline of Lake Michigan, likely to result in a bit of blowing snow and additional visibility reductions.

Any lingering snow showers overnight largely diminish by Saturday morning. Lows tonight not expected to be nearly as cold as the last couple...ranging from the single digits below zero across eastern upper and interior areas of northern lower. Single digits to low teens above zero near the coasts. More sunshine anticipated area-wide on Saturday with high temperatures rising into the mid-teens to near 20 degrees.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 201 PM EST Fri Jan 30 2026

Saturday night - Monday: Little in the way of sensible weather anticipated Saturday night - Sunday. ANother round of sub-zero temperatures expected for many Saturday night before high temperatures rise into the 20s on Sunday.

Winds turn southwesterly Sunday evening as the next system passes by to our north Sunday night into Monday morning. Widespread light to moderate expected to spread across northern Michigan Sunday night into Monday. Not looking like a huge snow event by any stretch with an early look at accumulation potential suggesting most areas under 2" of new snow, with probabilities for >2" largely less than 10% area-wide.

Monday night - Thursday: Several systems possible across the nation's midsection mid-late next week. Latest trends support Tuesday/Wednesday's southern stream system remaining to our south with better chances for accumulating snow returning toward the end of next week.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1216 PM EST Fri Jan 30 2026

Light snow is observed tracking northeast to southwest this afternoon with drops in visibilities to IFR and CIGs dropping mostly to MVFR or keeping VFR as snow tracks through. This trend will continue through the period with a burst of moisture/ snow expected approximately 20Z-3Z along with an uptick in winds with occasional gusts to 15 knots (especially MBL and TVC).

APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MI...None. MARINE...None.