Storm chances return, which could impact Motor City Pride, graduations this weekend across Metro Detroit

4Warn Weather – After a prolonged stretch of warm, dry weather across Southeast Michigan, chances of rain and thunderstorms are returning just in time for one of the region’s busiest outdoor weekends.

Motor City Pride at Hart Plaza, along with graduations, sporting events, backyard gatherings, and trips to area parks and lakes, will contend with periods of showers and thunderstorms from Friday evening through Saturday evening before drier weather returns Sunday.

The good news? Neither day will have all-day rain.

Friday will start warm and largely dry across Metro Detroit.

Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s, making it one of the warmest days of the week. Most communities should remain rain-free through at least early afternoon.

Scattered to numerous showers with embedded thunderstorms develop Friday afternoon and continue through Friday night as a weather system approaches from the west.

While an isolated stronger storm cannot be ruled out, Friday’s primary impacts are expected to be periods of rain, lightning, and downpours rather than widespread severe weather.

The greatest coverage of storms is expected during the evening and overnight hours, roughly between 9 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday.

Saturday

Saturday remains the day to more closely monitor the forecast and check the 4Warn Weather app.

Following a likely lull in activity during the morning, additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon as a weak cold front moves across Southeast Michigan.

Some storms may become strong to severe.

The primary threats include damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to one inch in diameter. While the tornado threat appears low, it is not zero.

The highest risk for severe weather covers the southern communities of Southeast Michigan, where a Level 2 out of 5 Slight Risk stretches from the Downriver communities to Monroe and Lenawee counties.

The remainder of Southeast Michigan, including Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Port Huron, and much of the Thumb, remains under a Level 1 out of 5 Marginal Risk, where isolated severe storms remain possible.

An isolated storm could begin developing as early as noon Saturday, but the greatest potential for severe weather appears to be between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Activity should gradually weaken and move out during the evening, ending by around 10 p.m.

For those attending Motor City Pride festivities at Hart Plaza, weather awareness will be important Saturday afternoon.

While many hours of dry weather are still expected, festival-goers should be prepared for temporary interruptions if thunderstorms develop nearby.

Anyone spending time outdoors this weekend should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

The 4Warn Weather app can deliver warnings and Exact Track 4D Radar updates directly to your phone, so you can act quickly if severe weather develops.

Remember, if thunder roars, go indoors. Tents, festival canopies, and trees do not provide safe shelter from lightning or severe winds.

A substantial building is always the safest place to be during a thunderstorm warning.

Sunday

Sunday is shaping up to be the best day of the weekend.

Any lingering showers should end Saturday evening, giving way to sunshine, comfortable humidity levels, and afternoon temperatures in the lower to middle 80s. Conditions should be favorable for Pride festivities, outdoor dining, boating, picnics, and recreation throughout Southeast Michigan.

Next week

Looking ahead, summerlike heat is expected to build quickly next week.

Forecast confidence continues to increase that Southeast Michigan could experience its first widespread stretch of 90-degree weather of the season by the middle and latter part of next week.

High temperatures are expected to climb through the 80s early in the week before approaching the lower 90s on Wednesday and Thursday.

Humidity levels are also expected to increase, creating a muggier feel.

People are encouraged to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, take breaks in the shade, and monitor the forecast for additional thunderstorm chances expected to return mid-next week.

Before the weekend storms arrive, skywatchers may have one more reason to look up Thursday night.

A weak geomagnetic disturbance could allow a faint display of the northern lights, or aurora borealis, to become visible across parts of Michigan. Viewing conditions are expected to be best between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. in areas away from city lights while looking toward the northern horizon.

The farther north in Michigan you travel, the better the chances of catching a glimpse of the display.

Share your northern lights and weather photos with Local 4 at MIPics.