Metro Detroit weather: Balmy Wednesday

Potentially stormy Thursday ahead

DETROIT – What a day!  As promised, temperatures have risen nicely through the day, and we have a balmy night ahead as warm air surges into the state. The far western part of our area (well west of US-23) will be close to a cluster of storms that will move northeastward across the Lower Peninsula tonight, but most of that should remain just west of us.

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Lows Wednesday night only dropping into the low 60s (16 degrees Celsius). Southeast to south wind at 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday will start dry and mild, but an approaching cold front will bring the chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms roughly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.  While this is a strong cold front, and we’ll have a strong wind field aloft, surface temperatures may not get warm enough to create sufficient instability for violent updrafts to generate severe storms.

If this front was approaching later in the afternoon, then I’d be telling you a different story. Still, the strong wind field is enough to have me caution you that strong wind gusts may accompany any thunderstorm that develops.

In fact, even a “regular” shower could have strong wind gusts, and even some hail is possible in the more rigorous showers. I suggest checking the customizable radar page on the FREE Local4Casters app. If you don’t have the app (and I’m not sure why you wouldn’t…most everybody else does), just go to the app store and search under “WDIV.” Also, if you haven’t already, follow me on Twitter (@PGLocal4 and @Local4Casters) for personalized weather updates Thursday as the weather approaches.

Highs Thursday should reach the low to mid 70s (23 degrees Celsius) before the front blows through. Wind will blow from the south to southwest at 20 to 25 mph, so it’ll become a windy day by mid to late afternoon.

Thursday’s sunrise is at 6:34 a.m., and Thursday’s sunset is at 8:29 p.m.

Mostly cloudy and windy Thursday night, with lows in the mid-40s (7 degrees Celsius).

We should start Friday with partial sunshine, but clouds will increase through the day. Highs in the mid-60s (18 degrees Celsius).

The Weekend

With a bit of luck, Saturday may begin dry, but scattered light rain showers are possible by afternoon, especially the farther south you are. Areas farther north will hang onto a dry day longer. Highs in the upper 50s (15 degrees Celsius).

Sunday brings a better chance of rain, with highs perhaps spiking into the mid to upper 60s (19-20 degrees Celsius) by the end of the day if we can get a warm front through the area.

Next Week

Showers and thunderstorms Monday morning should end by early afternoon, and it’ll become a windy day.  Highs in the mid 60s (18 degrees Celsius).

Tuesday looks mostly cloudy and windy, with highs in the mid to upper 50s (14 degrees Celsius).

Although there’s some uncertainty, it appears that rain chances return for both Wednesday and Thursday, with highs only in the mid to upper 50s (14 degrees Celsius).

Tentatively, I think the sun will return just in time for next weekend.  At least we have that to look forward to.