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Metro Detroit Breaks Record For Snowiest Winter Ever

DETROIT (WWJ) - It's hard to believe but after temperatures in the 70s on Tuesday, metro Detroit is waking up to a fresh coating of snow. But did the spring storm set us over the record for the snowiest winter ever?

According to the National Weather Service, the late-season snowfall helped Detroit shatter its previous record of 93.6 inches, set back during the winter of 1880-1881.

"We didn't need much, we only needed 1.3 inches as of midnight and looking around at the totals, we've definitely broken the record," AccuWeather Meteorologist Dean DeVore said. "For the storm itself, we got 3.1 inches."

The weather service says the 2013-2014 season is officially the snowiest on record in Detroit with 94.8 inches.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS: Check The List

But not everyone is celebrating the record, including motorists getting tied up in problems on the roads. Several sick spots and spinout accidents have been reported on area freeways.

I96 spin out
Dwayne Smith of Fenton said he was driving along I-96 when he felt his car start to fishtail and went down the embankment. Fortunately, he landed in the cattails and muck instead of the nearby tall trees. (Credit: Mike Campbell/WWJ Newsradio 950)

The spring snow came after a weather roller coaster Monday, with rivers overflowing their banks, hundreds of thousands of people losing power and mid-70s temperatures in some parts of the state tumbling below freezing by Tuesday morning.

Here's the detailed forecast from the CBS Detroit weather team:

Tuesday: A snow shower this morning; otherwise, windy and much colder with clouds giving way to some sun. High 38F.
Tuesday Night: Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 25F.

Wednesday: Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High around 45F.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy and cold. Low 34F.

Thursday: Partly sunny, pleasant and warmer. High 61F.
Thursday Night: Cloudy. Low around 40F.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a couple of showers in the afternoon. High 56F.
Friday Night: A steady rain in the evening. Showers continuing late. Low 38F.

Know before you go: Keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest forecast during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. See the live, local radar now at this link.

Sign up for severe weather text alerts: Text STORM to 95001
For daily weather forecast text alerts: Text FORECAST to 95001

 

 

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