Weather forecast: The chill is here in metro Detroit

Cooler temps will stay through next week

DETROIT – Before getting to the forecast, I once again need to respond to more nasty hate mail about the lack of severe thunderstorms yesterday.

Let me explain something that I've had to explain to a lot of people: The big batch of rain yesterday afternoon was NOT the severe weather area we were forecasting. We knew that wasn't severe (aside from the very heavy rain amounts some people were receiving), and I explained this online yesterday, as well as twice on the air. What we were watching was the potential for ADDITIONAL storms to pop up ahead of the approaching cold front, late in the afternoon or in the evening. Due to the breaks of sun coming about 90 minutes too late to warm us up 5-7 degrees more, those storms didn't pop up. Just south of here, in Ohio, it WAS warm enough, and they are still trying to figure out how many tornadoes hit down there.

That easily could have been us. In fact, had we gotten that earlier sunshine, OUR tornado threat would have been even more significant than in Ohio, because the wind field aloft was even more impressive up here. We were very, very lucky. Based upon some of the tweets and e-mails, it appears that some people were highly disappointed not to see severe weather. I caution them to be careful what they wish for.

Alright, on to the forecast:

Look for cloudy skies overnight, with lows in the upper 40s. North wind at 4 to 8 mph. Something we'll need to keep an eye on tonight and tomorrow is the possibility for some Lake Huron lake effect rain showers in the Thumb -- you folks are well aware of what wind off the lake does when the air is much colder than the water temperature.

Mostly cloudy on Friday, although some breaks of sun are possible -- especially midday. Highs near 60. Northeast wind at 5 to 10 mph.

Rain develops Friday night, but hopefully not until after our high school football games. Lows in the upper 40s.

We'll start our Saturday with some rain showers, but see the precipitation gradually pulling off to the northeast during the day. So, those of you farther west will see the rain end earlier, and those of you up in the Thumb will see it probably linger into the early afternoon. Highs barely making it to near 60 -- perhaps low 60s in areas that get the most sunshine.

Mostly clear Saturday night. Lows in the mid 40s -- perhaps even down near 40 in the coldest suburbs (brrrr).

Mostly sunny on Sunday, with highs in the low to mid 60s. I know it's going to be cooler than some of you would prefer, but mid 60s in September sunshine still feels pretty good. Sunday will be the better of the two weekend days, so make some plans and take advantage of a gorgeous fall day!

Mostly clear Sunday night, with lows in the upper 40s.

Increasing clouds on Monday with some showers developing. Highs in the mid 60s.

Showers end Monday night, with lows near 50.

Then mostly sunny and spectacular both Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs in the mid to upper 60s, and overnight lows near 50.