4Warn Weather – If your ideal fall weekend includes football, cider, or sunshine, Metro Detroit’s weather is cooperating.
After clouds linger into part of Friday night, skies will gradually clear as a dry air mass settles over the region.
Temperatures will fall to around 50 degrees in Detroit, with many suburbs dropping into the 40s.
That means anyone staying out late Friday will probably appreciate a light jacket or sweatshirt.
Then comes a weekend that may be difficult for fall lovers to complain about.
Saturday: Sunshine takes over
Saturday will feature abundant sunshine with highs generally in the upper 60s to around 70 degrees across Southeast Michigan.
It will be a cool start. So, anyone heading out early for breakfast, a farmers market, or the cider mill may want an extra layer.
By afternoon, however, sunshine should make it comfortable enough to shed the jacket.
Taking sunglasses is a good idea.
The combination of dry air, sunshine and 70-degree weather makes Saturday an excellent cider mill day.
It should also be favorable for apple picking, pumpkin patches, hiking, or simply getting outdoors.
Football fans have plenty to watch, too.
Michigan hosts Iowa in Ann Arbor with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. Temperatures are expected to rise through the 60s during the afternoon, reaching the upper 60s around kickoff.
Mostly sunny skies continue into the game, with temperatures easing back toward the middle 60s by early evening.
A t-shirt or jersey could work during the warmest part of the afternoon, but fans staying through the end of the game may want to bring a light jacket.
Michigan State hosts Nebraska in East Lansing at 5 p.m.
Temperatures should be near 67 degrees around kickoff under mostly sunny skies before dropping to around 60 degrees by 8 p.m.
That later kickoff makes a jacket or hoodie even more important. Once the sun goes down, the chill will be noticeable.
Sunday: Another winner for outdoor plans
Sunday starts with more clouds around Southeast Michigan, but sunshine should become more prominent as the day continues.
Highs reach the lower 70s in Detroit, making Sunday slightly warmer than Saturday.
That is good news for Lions fans heading downtown.
The Lions host the New York Jets at Ford Field at 1 p.m.
Tailgating conditions look dry, with temperatures around 60 degrees by 11 a.m., climbing into the mid-60s around kickoff and upper 60s during the afternoon.
Although the game is indoors, the weather outside Ford Field should be comfortable for anyone walking around downtown or tailgating.
Sunglasses will be useful as skies brighten.
The Tigers also have weekend action, and the dry weather should cooperate with outdoor baseball plans.
With cooler evenings, though, baseball fans should plan on bringing a jacket if they will be outside after sunset.
For anyone who skips the stadium and enjoys other outdoor activities, Sunday works just as well.
Temperatures in the lower 70s will be ideal for many people.
Cool nights are the reminder that fall has arrived
Despite mild afternoons, nighttime temperatures will drop considerably.
Saturday night falls into the lower 50s around Detroit, with 40s possible farther from the urban core.
Sunday night will also be cool, generally falling into the lower to mid-50s.
So the wardrobe strategy this weekend is simple: layers.
You may want a sweatshirt or light jacket during the morning, short sleeves during the afternoon, and that jacket again after sunset.
Dry weather sticks around into early next week
The pleasant pattern does not end on Sunday.
High pressure remains influential across the Great Lakes, keeping Southeast Michigan dry into the beginning of next week.
Monday looks sunny with highs in the lower to mid-70s. Tuesday should be similarly comfortable.
That gives Southeast Michigan an extended stretch of weather favorable for outdoor projects, exercise, walking the dog, or squeezing in another cider mill trip.
When does rain return?
The next meaningful opportunity for rain arrives around Wednesday.
A disturbance moving through the region could bring showers Wednesday, with additional rain chances potentially continuing into Thursday.
Until then, take the sunglasses. Keep a light jacket nearby.
And unless the forecast changes significantly, the umbrella can probably spend the weekend at home.
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