A strengthening low-pressure system is expected to bring periods of moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds to Southeast Michigan Saturday night and Sunday.
An isolated thunderstorm could become strong to severe, with a marginal (level 1 of 5) risk focused south of I-96. Isolated storms could produce wind gusts up to 60 mph overnight and heavy rain Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
This system is also expected to drop significant rainfall, increasing the threat of localized flooding in poor drainage areas and urban low spots.
Following highs around 80 degrees on Sweetest Day, temperatures Saturday night will stay unusually mild for mid-October. Expect temperatures to only fall to the upper-50s to lower-60s ahead of the system. Rain will become widespread overnight.
Drivers are urged to use caution on the roads late tonight into Sunday morning. Even a few inches of moving water can cause a vehicle to lose control. If flooding is encountered, motorists should “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” and seek alternate routes rather than attempting to drive through high water.
Most of Metro Detroit will pick up between a half inch and one inch of rain from Saturday through Sunday. Totals will be higher farther northwest, with 1.5 to 2 inches of rain likely in Flint and Howell, and even locally higher amounts possible near the Saginaw Valley. These heavier rainfall bands may cause ponding on roadways and minor flooding near viaducts, underpasses, and areas prone to poor drainage.
Sunday will be both wet and windy. Temperatures will rise into the upper-60s early in the morning, but they will gradually fall through the 50s during the day as a strong cold front moves across the region. Winds will shift from the south to the west, with sustained speeds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts reaching 35 to 40 mph during the afternoon. Gusts at that strength may bring down a few small tree branches, scatter lightweight outdoor furniture, and make travel on bridges and overpasses more difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. By Sunday night, winds will remain breezy but gradually ease, with temperatures falling into the upper-30s to lower-40s as skies clear.
The Detroit Free Press Marathon will likely start on a soggy note Sunday morning. Temperatures at the beginning of the race should be in the lower- to mid-60s with showers ongoing, then drop into the upper-50s as runners move through the course. While the heaviest rain is expected to taper off around or shortly after sunrise, scattered showers and gusty winds could persist through the day, creating challenging conditions on bridges and along exposed sections of the route.
Monday will bring a break from the active weather pattern. Under mostly sunny skies, temperatures will climb to around 60 degrees, making for comfortable conditions for fans attending the Detroit Lions’ Monday night home game at Ford Field. Winds will be lighter, around 5 to 10 mph, and no rain is expected during the day or the game. Showers are expected to return after 2 a.m. early Tuesday, once most fans have cleared out of Downtown Detroit.
Showers are likely Tuesday with highs in the mid- to upper-50s, followed by cooler air midweek. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures in the lower- to mid-50s and the chance of an isolated shower. The second half of the week looks quiet and seasonable, with Thursday and Friday featuring partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid-50s to lower-60s, which is typical for mid- to late-October.
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