DETROIT – Update at 2p.m.: Hurricane Joaquin remains a powerful hurricane, with 130 mph continuously blowing wind surrounding its eye.
With hurricane force wind extending out 50 miles from the eye, and tropical storm force wind extending out 200 miles, you can see how this nearly stationary storm has truly battered parts of the Bahamas.
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However, there's good news: Joaquin has finally started its long-awaited turn to the north. Granted, it's only moving to the north at 3 mph, but the important thing is that this major hurricane is beginning a trend that will take it away from the Bahamas and into the open Atlantic. The latest computer models suggest that Joaquin will stay far offshore and not directly impact the U.S. east coast (although stormy seas, high waves, and strong rip currents will still batter the coast). The farther eastward track, though, does mean that Joaquin becomes a bigger threat to Bermuda -- I'll have to watch this very carefully.
Saturday forecast:
As for the U of M game Saturday at Maryland, the steady, pouring rain they'll get tonight and tomorrow morning should diminish to scattered showers by afternoon. Wind will continue strong, though, blowing from the northeast at 15-25 mph, with gusts over 30 mph possible. It'll certainly be an interesting game to watch, and I've been telling Coach Harbaugh and his staff since Monday to expect adverse conditions, so they have been well aware of the weather and I'm sure have game planned accordingly.
Here in metro Detroit, expect a dry night with increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 40s (6° Celsius for our Canadian neighbors), and it's going be breezy with northeast wind at 10-15 mph.
Mostly cloudy on Saturday, with scattered showers developing -- the best chance will be during the afternoon. Highs only in the mid 50s (13° Celsius). Northeast wind continuing at 15-25 mph. Hopefully, most of the showers will hold off until after the game at Spartan Stadium. It's a close call, so be prepared for rain, but maybe we'll get most of the game in dry.
Saturday's sunrise is at 7:32 AM, and Saturday's sunset is at 7:12 PM.
Showers likely Saturday night, with lows in the upper 40s (9° Celsius).
Sunday forecast:
Mostly cloudy on Sunday, with a few showers…especially in the morning (it's possible that most of the showers will be gone by afternoon). Highs in the low to mid 60s (17° Celsius).
If you have outdoor plans this weekend, keep track of the rain on radar with the FREE Local4Casters weather app…just search the app store under "WDIV," and you'll see it right there.
At this point, the period from Monday through Thursday appears mainly dry, with only a small shower chance Wednesday night with a passing cold front. Highs should generally be between 65° and 70° (18° to 21° Celsius), and overnight lows in the low 50s (11° Celsius).