DETROIT – A drier start to Tuesday morning and still mild as you wake up to temperatures in the 40s. It just won’t be much warmer today, with highs in the low 40s under cloudy skies.

Fairly quiet Tuesday as we prepare for the cold storm and the chance of snowfall by midweek. Lows will fall to around freezing tonight.

Sunset is at 5:01 p.m

Tuesday night through Wednesday

Light snow is possible later Wednesday night, but arctic air will move through the Great Lakes Wednesday afternoon and evening, triggering heavier lake-effect showers.

Wednesday to Thursday morning

Snowfall is possible from Wednesday evening to Thursday. Strong winds may cause blowing snow and will also drop wind chills into the single digits if they do not fall below zero by Thursday morning. This is almost the same setup as last week.

The system will be worst on the western side of the state, where winter storm watches are in effect.

The current scenario: Scattered to numerous showers with embedded snow squalls are expected until Wednesday afternoon. Due to isolated snow showers and snow squall potential, snowfall totals will vary greatly, but accumulations of 1 to 2 inches are expected, with heavier bands of snow as much as 3 to 4 inches or more. The northern thumb could exceed 4 inches.

Gusty winds, near whiteout conditions and slick roads are possible Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Wind chills will dip below freezing Thursday morning and remain in the single digits through the afternoon, which would be the coldest air of the season so far.