News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Steve Lardin, left, escapes the rush of Matthew Webb to get off a pass during a friendly game of football with friends at Bay View Park Wednesday.

ALPENA — The unpredictable weather patterns that have affected Northeast Michigan all winter have returned and in the next five days the forecast will range from one end of the spectrum to the other.

After a string of warm but rainy days, Northeast Michigan is in for a sloppy and potentially snow-covered day and night as a powerful spring storm is expected to move through the state. According to National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Zoltowski the current system started out with rain and freezing rain, but changed over to snow.

He said communities closer to the Lake Huron are expected to get some snow, possibly several inches, but it is the areas a little inland that could receive as much as six to eight inches by late tonight. He said freezing rain and sleet also could be a factor today.

“We are going to get something and it is going to be a mess all day Thursday probably until Friday morning,” Zoltowski said. “The Alpena area is riding right on the edge of rain and snow for much of the event, so it could go either way and change quickly.”

Along with the precipitation there is going to be strong winds, which could reach gusts of 45 mph. Zoltowski said the winds, coupled with the snow or freezing rain, is going to create a situation that could lead to power outages throughout the day. He urged people to prepare for possible outages.

“The snow is going to be really wet, heavy and sticky and will adhere to tree limbs, which could fall onto power lines,” he said. “That right now is our biggest concern.”

According to Zoltowski winter storms in April are not rare and they can even pop up late in the month as well as in early May, although he said that is a little more extraordinary.

“It is not unusual for April at all, but it is definitely something that thrill people, that’s for sure,” Zoltowski said.

Once the storm system moves through early Friday morning, temperatures will swing significantly and the snow on the ground will be short lived. Zoltowski said temperatures will increase quickly.

“It will be in the mid-40s Friday and then another 10 degrees will be added to that for Saturday and another five to 10 degrees more for Sunday,” he said. “There could be a few places that get close to 70 degrees Monday.”

As the month moves along the possibility of more cold and snow is possible, Zoltowski said. Ultimately though, more consistent warm temperatures will dominate the forecast.

“It’s spring and the warm and cold are battling it out with one another,” he said. “Eventually the warm will win, but right now the cold isn’t ready to give up the fight yet.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.