Warmer locally through midweek; Tracking Hurricane Sally heading to Gulf Coast

Today’s high temperatures reached 61 degrees in Alpena and 78 degrees in Minneapolis. Winds increasing out of the southwest will bring those warmer temperatures into Northeast Michigan Tuesday.

Four tropical cyclones are currently on the go in the Gulf of Mexico/Atlantic Ocean:

• Hurricane Sally is heading toward the Gulf Coast. It has strengthened to a category 2 hurricane, producing maximum winds close to 100 mph. It will bring more than 10 inches of rainfall to parts of the Gulf Coast, near the Mississippi-Alabama border. In addition, storm surge will be an issue (inundation coming off the Gulf of Mexico onto the coast).
• Hurricane Paulette affected Bermuda yesterday and is now heading toward the northeast. It is still expected to strengthen over open waters of the Atlantic.
• Further out in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Teddy is forecast to strengthen and become a category 3 hurricane later this week.
• Tropical Storm Vicky will be heading westward and weaken.

Following Vicky, there is one more name left on the list for Atlantic basin tropical storms, Wilfred. After that, tropical storms will be named using the Greek alphabet for the rest of this season.

Around Alpena — high temperatures will reach about 76 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday. High pressure from central Canada will then move in, bringing clearer skies and colder temperatures. Highs Thursday afternoon will be near 60 degrees, then only in the upper 50s Friday.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy and breezy. Early-morning temperatures will be in the lower 40s. Temperatures will rise to around 60 degrees in the late-morning. Afternoon highs will be close to 76 degrees. Early-evening temperatures will be in the lower 70s.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Predawn temperatures will be milder, near 60 degrees. Late-morning temperatures will get close to 70 degrees. Afternoon highs will be around 76 degrees. Early-evening temperatures will fall into the middle 60s.

Thursday: Sunny and cooler. Early-morning temperatures will be in the lower 40s. Late-morning temperatures will be close to 50 degrees. Afternoon highs will be near 60 degrees. Early-evening temperatures will cool to the lower 50s.

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.