First real winter storm takes aim at SE Michigan on Saturday

(FOX 2) - Let's face it, it's been a relatively easy winter in southeast Michigan. But Metro Detroiters know that doesn't last long - and it ends this week.

All eyes are on Saturday for our first potential winter storm this season. How much and when? Well, let's get to it.

Lighter bands of snow will begin around 1 a.m. Saturday but only for a sliver of Metro Detroiters. This snow isn't your accumulating stuff, instead just a reminder of what's to come.  

Heavier snow will begin to fall between 6-7 a.m. and tapering off around 10 p.m. The entire system will be gone by the time we wake up Sunday morning.

As of the time of writing, totals look to fall in the 3-6" range, with more closer to the Michigan/Ohio state line and less the farther north you travel. Areas near Toledo could get nearly 6", while Detroit will get over 4" and Port Huron only gets 2".

One trusted weather model has the majority of the winter system staying to our south, putting us just north enough to get some snow but significantly less than 6 inches.  

However, a different model is suggesting that it may project farther north, traveling through southern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. If this happens, that places us in a prime position to pick up several inches of snow... closer to the upper limit of 6 inches.

After the snow maker moves out early Sunday, plan for frigid air to stream in. This will easily be the coldest air of the season as highs on Sunday will struggle to find 15 degrees and overnight wind chills will fall below -5 degrees. Burrrrr.

As always, stay tuned the Fox 2 Weather Authority online, on social media and on our new and improved Weather App.