Southeast Michigan is getting a preview of spring to start the week, with sunshine and unusually warm temperatures arriving Monday.
High temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 60s across Metro Detroit, more than 20 degrees above the average high of 43 degrees for March 9. The warmth will approach record territory, though it is expected to stay below the record high of 71 degrees set in 2016.
The mild pattern continues Tuesday with highs again climbing into the 60s before the weather turns more active.
Clouds will increase Tuesday, and showers could begin developing late in the afternoon. The better chance for widespread rain and thunderstorms will be Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
Some of the storms could become strong to severe. The main threats include damaging wind gusts, hail up to around one inch in diameter and locally heavy rainfall. The Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of southern Lower Michigan under a marginal, or level 1 of 5, risk for severe weather, including much of Southeast Michigan. Communities from Ann Arbor to Monroe and westward have a slight, or level 2, risk.
Rain is expected to continue into Wednesday before colder air begins moving into the region.
By Wednesday night, some rain could mix with or change to wet snow, though accumulation is not expected for most areas.
The temperature trend will turn noticeably cooler for the end of the week. Highs Thursday are expected to drop back into the low 40s, which is closer to seasonal averages.
Another system arriving Friday could bring a mix of rain and snow to parts of Southeast Michigan as colder air settles into the region.
Unsettled weather may linger into the weekend with additional chances for rain or snow Saturday.
Despite the late-week cooldown, Monday’s warm sunshine offers a brief reminder that spring is gradually getting closer.
Share your weather photos with Local 4 at MIPics.