FORECAST SUMMARY: Monday, March 13, 2023, through Monday, March 20, 2023

PM-2.5:
PM-2.5 concentrations are expected to range from Good to low-Moderate. 

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Winter’s grip continues to grasp onto Michigan to start off this week with many areas across the state seeing snow showers waking up this Monday morning. These snow showers should slowly dissipate as the day carries on leaving a few inches in their path. These snow showers are accompanied by northerly winds which will keep temperatures in the mid-20s to low-30s through Tuesday. A change in airmass comes Wednesday as winds shift to more southwesterly flow which will bump temperatures to the upper-30s and low-40s. This airmass lasts through Thursday until yet another system makes its way through the region on Friday. A Low-pressure system comes up from the southwest and will have a mixed batch of precipitation—rain, snow, and possible freezing rain. It is still too far out for true model agreement as models are nowhere near agreement on this system. The north or south trajectory will determine where the rain/snow line sets up, which will become more prominent as the week carries on. The system, as of right now, appears to somewhat stall over the region lasting through Saturday so additional precipitation may accrue due to that, along with winds staying relatively strong. As Sunday approaches, the system moves off to the east, shifting winds back to NNW and bringing colder temperatures back into the region.

In terms of air quality, northerly winds for a big portion of this week will keep PM-2.5 concentrations at bay. There may be low-mid Moderate concentrations in the morning hours but will dissipate as each day carries on. The end of the week system will clean out any buildup that occurs and will keep overall air quality Good for the weekend ahead.

EXTENDED FORECAST:

A slight warm up occurs on Monday which will possibly increase PM-2.5 concentrations to the Moderate range for a few hours, but overall air quality will remain Good to start off next week.

Next Forecast update: Monday, March 20th, 2023