Detroit woke up to a cool, clear start this morning, with temperatures hovering near 52°F and plenty of blue sky. Mostly sunny conditions should nudge this afternoon's high to around 73°F, with a west breeze running about 6 to 10 mph. Today's commute gets a dry, easy ride, but the middle of the week is shaping up to be a lot wetter.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Sunshine sticks around today, although that west wind is expected to firm up a bit later on. Boaters on Saginaw Bay and along the Thumb should play it cautious, since advisory-level gusts are possible into midday. If you are planning to grill, garden, or hang out on the patio this evening, it is not a bad idea to secure lightweight outdoor furniture and anything that might blow around.
Tuesday Storm Window
Tomorrow turns warmer, with highs pushing into the upper 70s as southwest flow ramps up. Showers and thunderstorms are likely to fire up tomorrow afternoon into the early evening, generally between about 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. EDT. Some storms could kick out strong, gusty downbursts that may cut visibility and slow the evening drive.
Wednesday Night Flood Threat
A stronger system is lined up for Wednesday night into early Thursday, and the National Weather Service is flagging a higher chance for widespread showers and thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service Detroit, model trends are highlighting a corridor where 1 to 2 inches of rain are plausible across parts of metro Detroit. That would raise the odds of urban street flooding and quick rises on small streams. If you have plans Wednesday evening or early Thursday, it might be worth shifting things indoors or building in extra travel time.
Plan Ahead
Keep rain gear handy and give yourself some cushion for midweek travel. Avoid driving through standing water, and never try to cross a flooded road, no matter how shallow it looks. If you run into street flooding or sewer backups, the City of Detroit offers reporting tools and guidance, including SeeClickFix and emergency contacts for water and sewer issues. Before you head out each day, a quick check of local alerts and the latest NWS forecast can save you a lot of headaches.
