Stormy Friday with a cold front; Heat finally breaks this weekend

In a hot, humid and unstable air mass, scattered thunderstorms have erupted over Northern Michigan. Some have been quite strong including localized hail and heavy downpours. The cold front which is currently over Northern Wisconsin, southern Minneseota and central Iowa will bring more widespread showers and thunderstorms to our area tomorrow.

Prior to rain showers developing this afternoon, high temperatures soared to 96 degrees in Alpena, 95 in Saginaw and 94 in Traverse City. Following Friday’s cold front, winds will become out of the north this weekend and that will bring in cooler temperatures. Notice today’s highs were “only” 80 degrees in Ironwood and Duluth, a sign of the air mass on the way to Northern Michigan this weekend.

The chance of rain will be very high Friday. Most places will likely get 0.5-1 inch of rainfall, although there could be some localized spots that end up with more than 1 inch. The chance of showers will begin to lessen Friday night. Saturday will be dry with partly cloudy skies. There’s a somewhat low chance of showers midday Sunday, but any showers that form will likely be brief and most of Sunday will probably be dry.

Friday: Humid with showers and thunderstorms. Predawn temperatures will start in the upper 60s. Afternoon highs will reach about 82 degrees. Early-evening temperatures will be in the middle 70s.

Saturday: Partly cloudy. Predawn temperatures will be in the lower 60s. Temperatures will rise to the middle 70s by the late-morning. Afternoon highs will get up to 84 degrees. Temperatures will be in the upper 70s going into the early-evening.

Sunday: Partly cloudy but there could be a spotty shower midday. Predawn lows will be near 70 degrees. Late-morning temperatures will rise to around 70 degrees. Afternoon highs will be close to 80 degrees. Early-evening temperatures will be in the lower 70s.

For the rest of Northeast Michigan’s weather forecast, watch the latest weather video by clicking the weather tab at the top of the page.