DETROIT – Spring officially begins at 6:45 PM this evening.
But I need to explain, because there are TWO different "first days of spring!"
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Today marks the beginning of astronomical spring. As you know, our planet's north and south poles do not point straight up and down. Rather, Earth is tilted on a 23.5 degree angle so, as it rotates around the sun, there are parts of the year where the northern hemisphere (where we live) points toward the sun, and parts of the year where we point away from the sun. The astronomical first day of spring (and fall) is the time exactly in between -- when we point neither toward nor away from the sun. On this day, the sun rises due east, and sets due west.
The other "first day of spring" is on March 1st, which begins meteorological spring. In order for weather and climate statistics for each season to be consistent year after year, we need to collect those statistics from the same set of days. So, meteorological spring is March, April and May, meteorological summer is June, July, and August, meteorological fall is September, October and November, and meteorological winter is December, January and February.
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Alright, before getting to the forecast, here's a trivia question for you:
The Earth's orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle. So, are we closer to the Sun in the summer, or in the winter? The answer is (drum roll, please), in the winter! That's right, we're actually a little closer to the Sun in winter than we are in summer. That shows you how important the Earth's tilt is in dictating our seasons. During the summer, when our hemisphere is pointing toward the Sun, those rays are shining more directly upon us -- and those stronger rays heat us up. In winter, the Sun is lower in the sky and those weaker rays don't heat us as much. Now that you're empowered with this knowledge, go win a bet with somebody!
Tonight's forecast is a quiet one -- look for partly to mostly cloudy skies, with lows in the mid to upper 30s. Southwest wind at 5 to 10 mph.
A cold front will drop through the area first thing Saturday morning, but I do not expect any precipitation with it. We'll start the day with some clouds, but then become mostly sunny behind the front. As I discussed yesterday, temperatures will vary due to the front's timing when it crosses your particular area. The way I see things right now, areas near I-69 and northward may only see temps struggle to around 40°, perhaps into the low 40s. Areas generally south of there to about I-94 should rise to between 45° and 50°. South of I-94, you'll be the last to have the front move through, so you have the potential to see temps rise into the 50° to 55° range. Wind ahead of the front at dawn will blow from the southwest, then shift to the northwest behind the front and increase to 10 to 20 mph.
Saturday's sunrise is at 7:35 AM, and Saturday's sunset is at 7:46 PM.
Mostly clear to start Saturday night, then clouds should increase after midnight. Lows in the mid 20s.
After some clouds Sunday morning, skies should become mostly sunny. It's going to be a noticeably chillier day, with highs only in the upper 30s.
Mostly clear Sunday night, with lows near 20°.
Mostly sunny on Monday, with highs in the mid to upper 30s.
Mostly clear Monday night, with lows again near 20°.
Mostly sunny on Tuesday, with highs in the mid 40s.
Increasing clouds Tuesday night, with lows in the mid 30s.
It's tough to pin down the details for Wednesday this far in advance, but the way I see it now is that we'll get some showers ahead of an approaching warm front, then pop into a warm sector where skies will clear and we'll see temperatures roar into the mid to upper 50s, before a cold front swings through and with more showers.
Shower chances continue Wednesday night, with lows in the mid 30s.
Partly cloudy and cooler again on Thursday, with highs in the mid 40s.
Partly cloudy Thursday night, with lows in the mid 20s.
Then mostly sunny on Friday, with highs near 40°.