December and the meteorological winter begin with unusually cold weather in Metro Detroit.

After a high of 30 degrees Sunday afternoon at Detroit Metro Airport, nighttime temperatures were forecast to fall into the low 20s. Westerly winds gusting 8 to 12 mph will bring wind chills in the teens and single digits. Skies will vary from partly cloudy to mostly cloudy, with the possibility of a few thunderstorms.

Monday

Monday will bring a mix of sunshine and clouds in the morning. Skies will be mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Expect morning temperatures to be below freezing and wind chills in the teens and single digits. In the afternoon the highs will be around 35 degrees. West winds will be 5 to 10 miles per hour.

On Monday night the sky will be partly to mostly cloudy. Lows will be in the low 20s.

Tuesday

Tuesday will see a few storms during the day as high temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s, but widespread snow will return overnight. Lows will be in the mid to upper 20s.

Wednesday

Wednesday will be windy and snowy as a system moves across the Great Lakes. Snow accumulation is possible. Afternoon highs in the mid-30s will allow for a slight transition to rain. Lows will be in the low 20s.

Thursday

A colder air mass will move over southeast Michigan on Thursday. Lake effect snow showers will attempt to move into the region. Highs will be in the low 30s. Expect lows in the teens.

An arctic blast will bring nighttime and early morning temperatures in the teens at the end of the work week in the Great Lakes.

Welcome to winter… so to speak

December 1st marked the first day of meteorological winter, while astronomical winter begins on December 21st. Meteorological seasons have the same start and end dates each year, which is beneficial for seasonal recording.