FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday March 21st, 2025, through Monday March 24th, 2025
PM-2.5:
PM-2.5 concentrations are expected to be in the Good to low-Moderate range.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
We end this work week on a relative high note with southwesterly winds providing a boost in surface temperatures across the state. An encroaching Low-pressure system is causing these winds today and as we head into Saturday; the system crosses over Michigan and shifts winds to more northwesterly flow, dropping temperatures back into the low-to-mid-30s. With the passing of the cold front, there is a chance for isolated rain and snow showers early Saturday morning with most tapering off as the afternoon approaches. The system moves out of Michigan come late Saturday morning and what is left is mostly sunny skies and surface temperatures in the mid-30s. Michiganders will see more of the same on Sunday with a High-pressure system drifting down from Canada and shifting winds back to more southerly flow, but temperatures still hang around the upper-30s to low-40s for much of Sunday. The next precipitation-maker crosses over the state later on Sunday with a mix of rain and snow depending on where one is on the peninsulas. The upper peninsula will see a few inches of additional accumulating snow with the northern lower peninsula seeing a little less and the southern peninsula seeing mostly rain. This system will carry into early Monday with residual showers persistently hanging around for most of Monday.
For air quality, there was a resurgence of dust and smoke in the upper atmosphere this past week from southern plains states. Fortunately, however, this plume stayed in the upper atmosphere and did not make its way towards the surface unlike last weekend. For the weekend ahead, low-Moderate concentrations can be expected today due to southwesterly winds, but only for a few hours around commuting hours. Into Saturday and Sunday, PM-2.5 concentrations will hang around the Good range due to northerly winds and precipitation keeping concentrations at bay. Although it is officially Ozone season, it has not been warm enough for ample Ozone development.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Cooler temperatures look to hang around into next week as Spring gets off to a slow start. Air quality looks to remain in the Good range.
Next Forecast update: Monday March 24th, 2025