Rain, Warmer Temperatures Uncommon for Michigan, Weather Service Says

While Michigan residents have enjoyed a reprieve from Old Man Winter so far this season, the National Weather Service is reminding Michiganders that we're not out of the clear, yet.

"Certainly rain in January is not typical for Michigan, but it's not unprecedented," Joe Clark, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s White Lake office said.

Clark attributes warmer weather in the Metro Detroit area due to a northern jet stream that is slowly moving south, causing rain and autumn-like temperatures.

Friday's forecast predicts a 90 percent chance of snow showers throughout the morning and a low of 16 degrees in Dexter, however.

“Beyond that, it’s hard to predict when we could see the winter Michigan is known for. The weather pattern is in flux but we’re not in the clear yet by any stretch," Clark said. "The potential for stronger weather could still get here late.”

Clark said the Metro Detroit area has had less than an inch of snow in January five times throughout its history.

“What we’re experiencing is uncommon, but we’re not in unprecedented historic territory yet,” he said.

Jim Harmon, director of operations for the Washtenaw County Road Commission, said crews are enjoying the warmer weather.

“The lack of snow benefits us because we’re not spending funds on vehicle maintenance and overtime hours,” he said. “Instead we’re focusing on grading and patching the rural roads in the county that have shown some heavy deterioration this year.”

Harmon said crews are also working on emergency culvert (water drain) replacements, ditch work, brush and dead tree removal.

“We’re staying busy,” he said. “If this is a climate change, it’s a welcome change in my book in terms of expense.”

Compared to last year, Harmon said the Road Commission has only used 1,800 tons of salt countywide. Last year during November and December, the commission used 6,000 tons of salt on roads.

“We’ve seen a significant reduction in expense for salt, sand and diesel fuel since we haven’t had to take the trucks out a lot this winter,” he said.

If southeast Michigan is hit with a blast of late winter storms, however, Harmon said road crews will be ready.

“We began making our preparations for winter last spring, culminating with getting our employees up to speed and making sure we have enough sand and salt for the roads.”