Leave the parka in the closet Wednesday; Minimal showers Thursday

High temperatures Tuesday reached the middle 40s in Alpena, still several degrees below typical values for late-October. Although, Alpena’s afternoon high was warmer than much of the state, compared to 40 degrees in Cheboyan, Mich. and 42 degrees in Saginaw, Mich. Warmer temperatures will move in Wednesday, getting closer to typical late-October high temperatures.

Highs will reach about 50 degrees Wednesday afternoon. Winds from the NNE will bring cooler temperatures back to the forecast for Thursday with highs in the lower 40s. Friday, highs will struggle to get up to the 40 degree mark. A surge of warmer temperatures will arrive Saturday with highs near 50 degrees. A cold front will come through Northeast Michigan Sunday, dropping high temperatures to the lower 40s.

Tropical Storm Zeta will restrengthen to a hurricane tonight in the Gulf of Mexico. Zeta will approach the Gulf Coast late Wednesday, making landfall between eastern Louisiana and southern Alabama.

The National Weather Service has issued Hurricane Warnings for southeastern Louisiana and southern Alabama (light purple) due to Zeta’s arrival late Wednesday. Storm Surge warnings (orange) highlight expected inundation of water off the Gulf of Mexico, likely becoming several feet tall. Tropical Storm Warnings (light blue) are in effect for nearby areas, where the winds will be less than hurricane-strength.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy in the morning-afternoon, then cloud cover will increase in the evening. Early-morning temperatures will begin near 30 degrees. Late-morning temperatures will approach 40 degrees. Afternoon highs will warm to about 50 degrees. Early-evening temperatures will head into the lower 40s.

Thursday: A few spotty light showers are possible. Early-morning temperatures will be in the middle 30s. The afternoon will feel cool with highs in the lower 40s. Evening temperatures will dip to the middle 30s.

Friday: Bright skies, but remains cool. Early-morning temperatures will be in the middle to upper 20s. Afternoon highs will climb to around 39 degrees. Early-evening temperatures will go into the lower 30s.