Get the shovels: measurable snow moving into Metro Detroit

DETROIT (WJBK) - We've gotten a taste of winter with some early December flurries and bitter cold - but on Saturday, we'll get a real good bite.

Our first true snow accumulating system is expected this weekend!  There are still some uncertainties to watch, but the likelihood of a winter system is getting higher.  Here's the quick and dirty information of what you need to know:

What: 1-3 inches of snow on the ground 
When: Starting 1:00 a.m. Saturday and ending around 3:00 p.m. 
Where: All of SE MI

A low pressure system is screaming out of Canada and heading straight for southeast Michigan. It's the type of system that we call an "Alberta Clipper". It moves fast, comes in from the northwest, and brings a punch of snow.

As of now, the totals won't be record breaking, but we are looking at shovel-able snow. The entire area will see between 1 and 3 inches of snow with the majority of us getting 2 inches on the ground. 

Some spots in Livingston County, and perhaps Northern Oakland County, may get closer to 3 inches but probably not a whole lot more than that. All of the weather models have been consistent with the these numbers, and that's a reassuring sign.

As for timing, the bulk of the action will happen while we are asleep Friday night and early Sunday morning. Snow will start to move into the Lansing and Flint areas around midnight Friday into Saturday. 

The city of Detroit will likely see snowflakes closer to 4 a.m. We'll probably wake up to about an inch and then see another inch by lunch time. So my advice: wait until after noon to do any shoveling!

The good news about the timing of this storm is it's a Saturday morning, so traffic should be light. If you have somewhere to go this weekend, keep an eye on traffic at fox2detroit.com/traffic

The average date for what we call a "major snow" (3 inches or more) isn't until December 26, so while a system like this isn't uncommon at this point in December, it is a little early. Either way we'll be ready - especially if you download the Fox 2 weather app!