DETROIT – The weekend is here, so let’s get right to the forecast. Friday night will feature scattered showers, which should end by 4 a.m. Lows will be in the low 50s (11 degrees Celsius). Winds will be light and variable.
Saturday morning should start dry, which is great news for the 2017 March of Dimes Walk for Babies. I’m honored to be the event’s emcee this year, as I’ve also been a longtime participant in the March of Dimes annual golf outing every August.
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We’ll be raising money for a great cause, and expecting our biggest crowd ever, so let’s hope that Mother Nature cooperates. Later in the morning is the University of Michigan’s commencement, starting at 10:00 a.m. at Michigan Stadium.
It’s a bit more of a close call for you in Ann Arbor, as some models (the NAM, for example) try to project an area of light showers into our area by noon, while other models (such as our in-house RPM) hold off the showers until mid-afternoon. You know what I always say: plan for rain, and hope for dry.
I also always say to download our FREE Local4Casters app so you can easily monitor the rain as it approaches. Isn’t it always better to stay ahead of the weather, rather than be surprised?
Temperatures for the Walk for Babies should be around 50 degrees (10 degrees Celsius), and holding steady or even falling a bit for the U of M commencement, through the afternoon. North wind at 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday’s sunrise is at 6:31 a.m., and Saturday’s sunset is at 8:31 p.m.
Batches of rain and possible thunderstorms increase in coverage Saturday night, with lows in the mid-40s (7 degrees Celsius).
Same story with Sunday…rain and thunderstorms will periodically cross the area. Again, if you have our app, you can monitor the rain and try to time any breaks in the rain so you can take advantage of any dry spells.
Highs will likely reach the upper 60s (20 degrees Celsius), but this is predicated on the timing of our next strong warm front. If the front comes through by mid to late afternoon, then we’ll hit the low to mid-70s (22-23 degrees Celsius). However, if the cold Great Lakes waters slow the front’s progress (and this is what happened last Thursday, if you remember) and don’t bring it through until later, then we may even stay cooler.
Rain and thunderstorms are likely once again Sunday night, with lows in the upper 50s (15 degrees Celsius).
This storm system’s cold front comes through midday Monday, with another band of showers and thunderstorms. Behind the front, it becomes windy, with colder air streaming in. Highs ahead of the front, though, should reach the upper 60s (20 degrees Celsius).
Here are some maps to give you an idea of what we’re looking at this weekend:
These persistent batches of rain are going to drop some solid rain totals by Monday. I’m posting below my 4Zone forecast for rain amounts, and try not to focus too much on any one specific number for one particular area. It’s important to remember that when we’re dealing with convective rainfall (meaning from robust showers and thunderstorms), amounts can vary a great deal. However, I want you to pay attention to the TRENDS on these maps, which show the best potential for the heavier amounts (two to three inches) being across the northwestern part of our area:
Tuesday will be windy and colder, with scattered rain showers. Highs only in the low to mid-50s (11-12 degrees Celsius). And here’s something really crazy: with the colder air coming in Monday night, there’s a small chance for a few wet snowflakes late Monday night / first thing Tuesday morning! It just depends upon where the core of that colder air tracks.
Partly cloudy on Wednesday, with highs in the mid- to upper 50s (14 degrees Celsius).
Mostly cloudy on Thursday, with highs in the mid- to upper 50s (14 degrees Celsius).
Partly cloudy on Friday, with highs in the upper 50s (15 degrees Celsius).
It still looks as if sunshine and dry weather will continue building in for next weekend. Saturday should end up partly cloudy, but highs should be near 60 degrees (16 degrees Celsius), although it could end up breezy and cooler depending upon the proximity of a storm system that will track northward somewhere between here and the east coast.
Sunday looks terrific, with lots of sunshine, and highs in the low to mid-60s (17 degrees Celsius).
WeatherFest is Just Around the Corner!
We need a few good kids! Local 4's second annual WeatherFest is just around the corner, and will be held Wednesday, May 10th at the Southfield Public Library. The hours between 9:00 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. are reserved for school classes, and there are a few slots still available! We have room for fifty kids in the morning session, and 160 kids in the afternoon session. Home school classes are also encouraged to apply. The general public is welcomed after 1:45 p.m. If your child's class might be interested, have the teacher contact:
Kelly Ireland Rembert
Outreach Librarian
Southfield Public Library
26300 Evergreen Rd.
Southfield, MI 48076
(248) 796-4367
krembert@southfieldlibrary.org
The Local4Casters look forward to seeing you there!
