DETROIT – TGIF! If Friday (April 1) was Mother Nature’s idea of an April Fools joke, I’m not amused. April, of course, can be a very fickle month. After all, the biggest snowstorm in recorded Detroit weather history occurred on April 6, 1886 (24.5 inches). But we’ve also had hot summer-like days and everything in between.
Our midweek storm is pulling far enough off to the east that we’ll see a rapid clearing of our skies this evening, which means that we have a shot at seeing the International Space Station flying overhead. If you haven’t seen this before, it’s pretty cool. Watch low in the northwest at 9:16 p.m. You’ll see a bright star fade into view, then slowly travel up across the sky for the next five minutes before fading out of view low in the east-southeast. As you watch it, think about those astronauts aboard and all of the scientific research they are doing.
Temperatures will drop into the mid-to-upper-20s (-3 to -2 degrees Celsius) by dawn, but, fortunately, the wind will die off overnight.
This evening’s sunset is at 7:59 p.m., and Saturday morning’s sunrise is at 7:14 a.m. Saturday evening’s sunset will be at 8 p.m. for the first time this season. We’re making progress.
Saturday
Saturday starts with sunshine, but clouds increase, and we’ll become cloudy during the afternoon. Rain showers move from west to east by late afternoon and continue into Saturday evening. If you have evening plans, then rain will also be a part of those plans; keep an eye on the free Local4Casters weather app’s real-time radar to help dodge the drops. Highs Saturday rebound a bit into the upper 40s (9 degrees Celsius), with a south wind at 5 to 10 mph.
Rain showers may mix with some wet snowflakes Saturday night before ending by dawn Sunday. Lows in the mid-30s (1 degree Celsius).
Sunday
Mostly cloudy skies will dominate our Sunday, with a few sprinkles or spotty light showers possible, mainly during the afternoon. Highs again in the upper 40s (9 degrees Celsius).
Next week
The unsettled weather pattern continues throughout next week. In fact, the only day in which I don’t have at least a chance of rain in my forecast is Tuesday. Naturally, the religious holiday known as Detroit Tigers Opening Day is on Friday, and, right now, it appears that it’ll be a chilly day with showers possible. Stay tuned and Play Ball.
When will this crummy weather pattern end? I took a quick peek at the super-long-range computer models this afternoon, and it appears that we may transition to a warmer, more spring-like pattern around day ten of my ten-day forecast.
Remember to download the FREE Local4Casters weather app -- it’s easily one of the best in the nation. Just search your app store under WDIV and it’s right there available for both iPhones and Androids! Or click the appropriate link below.