DETROIT — Southeast Michigan is in for a stretch of unusually warm weather through the weekend, with highs reaching well above normal temperatures, especially across the southern half of the region. However, forecasters say a shift is coming Sunday as showers, storms, and a chance for severe weather move in.
After a mild Friday evening, temperatures will remain unseasonably warm overnight, with some locations likely to challenge or break record high minimum temperatures. Detroit’s current record for March 29 is 54 degrees, set in 1910. Flint and Saginaw also stand a chance to break records with forecast lows hovering near the low 50s.
Saturday will feature continued warmth, with highs reaching well into the 60s for areas south of the I-69 corridor. However, a weak cold front will begin to sag southward in the afternoon, potentially bringing a sharp temperature contrast across the region. Areas near the northern Thumb and Tri-Cities may struggle to climb out of the 40s due to the influence of cooler air behind the front.
Winds on Saturday may gust up to 35 mph in the afternoon, and forecasters are also monitoring for low-level wind shear, especially during the overnight hours into Saturday morning.
By Sunday, attention turns to a developing storm system that is expected to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to the region. The National Weather Service has placed Southeast Michigan under a slight risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather Sunday into Sunday night. Forecasters say conditions could support strong storms capable of producing heavy rainfall and damaging winds.
Rainfall totals between Saturday night and Sunday night are expected to range from 0.75 to 1 inch, with locally higher amounts possible where storms repeatedly track over the same area. Minor ponding and rises in creeks and streams are possible, but widespread flooding is not anticipated at this time.
Cooler and more seasonable conditions will return Monday into Tuesday, with a brief dry spell expected before another warm-up arrives midweek.
For the latest updates, visit weather.gov/detroit.
