DETROIT – A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for much of southeast Michigan until 4 a.m. Friday.
The following counties are under the watch:
Oakland County
Macomb County
Saint Clair County
Sanilac County
Lapeer County
Genesee County
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Today's weather scenario has been playing out exactly as I've been telling you all week long -- no surprises.
Strong to severe thunderstorms have already erupted across the area as an upper level disturbance works with our hot, humid, unstable atmosphere to generate violent upward moving parcels of air. All of us are at risk for a storm today, with torrential downpours, near continuous lightning, and strong to possibly severe wind gusts (yesterday's storms generated 40-50 mph gusts in some areas, and I expect the same or stronger today).
Don't forget to follow me (@PGLocal4) and the Local4Casters (@Local4Casters) on Twitter for radar updates this afternoon (and anytime).
Thursday night forecast:
Storms should gradually settle down this evening, and the rest of the night should be dry. Lows in the upper 60s (20° Celsius for you Canadians) with a light southeast wind.
Friday is a bit tricky, but we should have some lingering cloud cover as the upper level disturbance slowly falls apart over us (a bit of an unusual situation).
A few scattered thunderstorms are still possible, with highs in the low to mid 80s (29° Celsius), depending upon how much sunshine we're able to get. Southeast wind at 5 to 10 mph.
Partly cloudy Friday night, with lows in the mid to upper 60s.
Partly cloudy on Saturday with the small chance for a couple of isolated thunderstorms during the hottest part of the day. Highs in the mid to upper 80s.
Mostly clear Saturday night, with lows in the upper 60s.
Partly cloudy on Sunday, with highs in the upper 80s to near 90°.
Mostly clear Sunday night, with lows near 70°.
Monday is still a close call, as I've been telling you all week. An approaching cold front will bring showers and thunderstorms Monday night, but the question is timing: if the front speeds up by just a few hours (an infinitesimal distance on my computer models), then we'll see late afternoon thunderstorms. However, if the timing is slightly slower, then we'll get our barbecues in just fine. I hope to be able to nail this down for you tomorrow…stay tuned. High's Monday in the mid to upper 80s.
Following the aforementioned cold front, we'll say goodbye to the humidity, and usher in 70s for highs by midweek.
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