It’s going to get hot! You might think: “That’s what happens in late spring and summer.” True, but it usually does not get so hot, so early in the season, and for so long.
Air Quality Alert
An Air Quality Advisory has been declared for St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, and Monroe counties for Sunday. Elevated ozone levels may cause the air to be “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” such as babies and individuals who are pregnant or have respiratory conditions.
4Warn Weather Alert
4Warn Weather Alerts have been declared for Monday and Tuesday due to the potential of excessive heat and heat indices forecast to reach 100 degrees.
Saturday Night
Saturday night, it will be mostly cloudy with lows in the lower 50s in the Thumb, mid 50s in the northern and western suburbs, and near 60 degrees in Detroit, Downriver, and Monroe. Easterly winds will be around 5 mph.
Father’s Day
It will be hot and dry on Sunday. An Air Quality Alert will cover much of Southeast Michigan. Under partly cloudy skies, temperatures will peak in the mid 80s in Detroit and much of Metro Detroit. Communities near Lake Erie and Lake Huron will be in the lower 80s; and farther inland, Adrian will likely touch the upper 80s. Winds will be out of the southeast at 7 to 14 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.
A warm front will push through the area and keep temperatures elevated on Sunday night. It will be partly cloudy with lows around 70 degrees. Winds will be out of the south-southwest around 5 mph.
Monday
A 4Warn Weather Alert has been declared for Monday. Plan for it to be mostly sunny and hot. A couple of showers of thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will surge into the mid 90s, which is around 15 degrees above normal. The record high for June 17 is 99 degrees (1994). When the humidity is taken into account, it will feel like it is around 100 degrees. Under mostly cloudy skies, the nighttime weather will offer little relief with lows in the lower 70s.
Tuesday
A 4Warn Weather Alert has also been declared for Tuesday. It will be mostly cloudy and hot. A few showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon and evening. Highs will push into the lower to mid 90s. The heat index will be near 100 degrees. At night, it will be mostly cloudy with lows in the lower to mid 70s.
Juneteenth
The heat wave will continue on Juneteenth. Wednesday’s highs will return to the lower to mid 90s. Temperatures could approach Metro Airport’s record high of 95 degrees for the date. Overnight lows will only fall to the lower 70s under partly cloudy skies.
Thursday
Thursday, which is the first day of astronomical summer, will bring more temperatures in the lower to mid 90s. Skies will be partly cloudy with isolated showers, but most areas will stay dry. The summer solstice will occur at 4:50 p.m. On the longest day of the year, or the day with the most daylight, the sun will set at 9:13 p.m. at Metro Airport. At night, it will be mostly cloudy with lows around 70 degrees.
Friday
Expect similar weather conditions on Friday. It will be partly cloudy with highs in the lower to mid 90s. There is the chance of an isolated shower. Under mostly cloudy skies, lows will be around 70 degrees.
Saturday
The heat wave is likely to extend into next weekend with highs in the lower 90s on Saturday. It will be partly cloudy with the chance of a few showers.
The combination of humidity, daytime heat, and nighttime warmth can lead to heat stress. The effects of the heat wave will be particularly pronounced in the urban core, which has more concrete and less natural landscape.
What’s a heat wave?
In Southeast Michigan, a heat wave is defined as three or more consecutive days with temperatures of 90 degrees or greater, according to the National Weather Service’s Detroit/Pontiac Forecast Office. The criteria are different in other parts of the country, especially regions which are prone to heat.
Using this criterion for Metro Detroit, the heat wave is forecast to begin Monday and last through the week.
Tips for staying safe in the heat:
•Stay indoors or seek shade
•Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks
•Reduce outdoor activities or limit them to the morning and evening
•Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes