Honestly, if you stepped outside in Detroit this morning, you already know. It’s cold. Like, "don't even think about leaving your coffee in the car" cold. Right now, the temperature is sitting at exactly 10°F, but that’s a total lie. The wind is coming in from the southwest at 10 mph, which makes it feel like -4°F. That’s a massive gap.
Most people just look at the big number on their phone and think, "Oh, ten degrees, I've seen worse." But the wind chill is the real story today.
The actual weather forecast Detroit MI today breakdown
Today isn’t just about the freeze; it’s about the shift. We’re looking at a high of 21°F later on. That sounds like a heatwave compared to the current -4°F wind chill, but don't get too comfortable. The sky is going to stay cloudy for the bulk of the daylight hours. Humidity is hanging high at 80%, which gives the air that heavy, damp bite that Michigan winters are famous for.
Here is the thing: the daytime only has a 20% chance of snow. It’s basically a teaser.
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Why tonight is the real problem
Everything changes once the sun goes down. The low is going to hit 9°F, and the precipitation chance jumps up to 35%. We aren't looking at a massive blizzard yet, but "snow showers" are the official word from the National Weather Service.
- Current Temp: 10°F
- RealFeel: -4°F
- Wind: 10-11 mph (Southwest)
- Daytime: Cloudy, high of 21°F
- Nighttime: Snow showers, low of 9°F
The wind is going to stay consistent, roughly 11 mph. It doesn't sound like much until you realize it’s pushing arctic air directly into your face.
What the experts are watching (and you should too)
I was looking at the Area Forecast Discussion from the NWS out of Pontiac earlier. They’re tracking a "clipper" system. Basically, it’s a fast-moving disturbance that’s going to slide through tonight. The moisture depth is expected to rise over 15,000 feet. That’s deep.
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There’s also this thing called the "Snow to Liquid Ratio." Tonight, it’s expected to be in excess of 20:1. In plain English? This is going to be that super light, fluffy "dry" snow. Great for looking pretty on trees, but it blows around like crazy, which means visibility on the Lodge or I-75 could get messy fast.
The Monday morning "Gale" threat
If you think today is rough, Monday is the real kicker. There’s a Gale Watch in effect for the marine areas, and on land, we’re looking at gusts between 30 and 40 mph. When you combine that with the snow falling tonight, you get "blowing and drifting" snow.
Basically, the "weather forecast Detroit MI today" is just the opening act for a much nastier Monday.
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Misconceptions about this cold snap
A lot of folks think that because the "High" is 21°F, the ice on the side streets might melt a bit. Nope. Not a chance. Between the 75% humidity and the constant cloud cover, we aren't getting any solar radiation to help us out. What’s frozen is staying frozen.
Also, don't assume the 2% precipitation chance right now means you're in the clear. That’s for right now. By the time you’re heading home from dinner, that 35% chance of snow showers will be much more relevant.
Actionable steps for Detroiters right now
- Check your tires. Cold air makes tire pressure drop. If your "low air" light wasn't on yesterday, it might be today.
- Layer for the wind chill, not the temp. A jacket rated for 20 degrees won't save you from a -4 wind chill. You need a windbreaker layer on top.
- Prep for the Monday commute tonight. Since the snow starts tonight and the wind picks up tomorrow morning, Monday morning is going to be a disaster. Get your scraping done early.
- Watch your pets. At -4°F wind chill, paws can freeze in minutes. Keep the walks short.
The big takeaway? Today is the "calm" before the blustery storm. Enjoy the 21°F high while it lasts, because the wind chills are dropping into the negative teens by Monday night. Stay warm out there.
Next steps: Keep an eye on the radar starting around 7:00 PM tonight. That’s when the "likely" snow showers will start moving in from the west. If you have to be on the roads late tonight, expect slick spots on the overpasses first.