4Warn Weather – Metro Detroit is heading into a weekend that will bring a mix of sunshine, warmth, showers, and storm chances.
Although heavy rain fell in a few locations on Thursday, many communities saw little to no rain.
Drought conditions are worsening in many parts of the region.
Communities north of M-59 are under moderate drought, with severe drought identified closer to Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City.
August ended 1.95 inches short of the month’s average rainfall of 3.26 inches.
Through Sept. 19, only 0.41 inches had been observed at Metro Detroit’s official weather observation station in Romulus.
The average amount of rainfall through Sept. 19 is about 2 inches.
Skies will be partly cloudy on Friday night, with overnight lows near 60 degrees in Detroit and Monroe, mid-to-upper 50s in most of Metro Detroit, and lower 50s in Lapeer.
Weekend forecast
Saturday offers some of the best weather for outdoor plans, with warm conditions and mostly cloudy skies.
Highs will reach the upper 70s, making it ideal for sporting events, errands, or late-summer gatherings. Go Tigers!
Saturday night’s lows will be in the upper-50s to 60 degrees.
Clouds will build, and an isolated shower could move in from the west.
By Sunday, however, warm and humid air will settle in.
Morning sunshine will give way to increasing clouds, and a few afternoon thunderstorms could pop up across the region.
Temperatures will climb into the lower-80s with muggy conditions making it feel warmer, so anyone planning outdoor activities should have a backup plan in case storms arrive.
While it might not be ideal weather for weekend plans, this rain is considered essential to improve the current drought conditions.
Next week
Looking into next week, the weather turns more unsettled to start.
Monday, the first day of fall, will be warm and humid, with plenty of cloud cover and a chance of showers or a thunderstorm.
Tuesday stays damp and unsettled with periods of rain and thunderstorms likely, along with highs in the mid-70s.
A break is expected by Wednesday as cooler, drier air moves in, bringing sunshine and highs in the lower 70s.
Thursday looks to be one of the most comfortable days of the week with bright sunshine and similar temperatures.
By Friday, clouds return and scattered rain or thunderstorms are possible, keeping conditions unsettled into the weekend.
Saturday may stay mostly cloudy with occasional showers, but by Sunday, the outlook improves with more sunshine and highs in the lower 70s.
Looking ahead, the seven-day forecast points to temperatures holding near seasonal averages.
Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy at times, and the chance for rain will linger into early next week.
Want to help the 4Warn Weather Team tell the weather story? Share your storm or drought photos at MIPics and you might see them featured on ClickOnDetroit.
Find the latest forecast from the 4Warn Weather team here
Remember to download the free 4Warn weather app -- it’s easily one of the best in the nation. Just search your app store under WDIV, and it’s right there, available for both iPhones and Androids! Or click the appropriate link below.