Unsettled weather pattern takes hold in metro Detroit

But we'll savage part of the weekend!

DETROIT – Before I get to the forecast, I want you to consider last night as a "warning shot across the bow" -- we'll have much more significant severe weather days this spring and summer, and there are things you can do to prepare for our severe weather season.

First and foremost, if you don't have one yet, get a weather radio. We are in year four of our weather radio campaign here at Local 4 and, since the beginning, more than 30,000 radios have been purchased. Severe storms and tornadoes sometimes roar through while many of us are sleeping, and this radio will wake you up with a piercing alarm if the National Weather Service issues a warning. During our campaign, which runs at least through June, you can get the Midland Weather Alert Radio for $10 off the $39.99 price at any Meijer or ABC Warehouse. It's well worth the investment.

Something else you can do that's FREE is download our Local4Casters weather app onto your smartphone or mobile device. The radar display is awesome, and allows you to track storms as they develop.

Then, make sure you have a tornado safety plan and know what to do when a tornado threatens. In general, you want to be on the lowest floor of the building you're in. A basement is great but, even if there is no basement, a small room (such as a bathroom or closet) in the center of the lowest floor offers good protection. The bottom line is that you want to put as many walls between you and the tornado as possible, to minimize injury or death from flying debris.

Finally, follow me on Twitter at @PaulGrossLocal4. While things can get pretty crazy on a severe weather day, I do my best to keep you updated during the event.

Forecast:

Fortunately, there's no severe weather in this forecast! Expect any isolated evening showers to end, then partly cloudy skies overnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Southwest wind at 8 to 12 mph.

We'll be dry with partial sun for the Thursday morning rush, but showers will pop up during the afternoon -- so grab both the shades and umbrella when you head to work. Cooler, with highs in the mid 50s (get used to that). It'll be breezy, too, with southwest wind at 15 to 20 mph, and possibly higher gusts.

Weekend forecast:

Mostly cloudy and breezy both Friday and Saturday, with showers possible each day. Highs in the mid 50s.

Then look for dry days Sunday through Tuesday, with at least partly cloudy skies, and highs in the upper 50s Sunday, and into the low 60s Monday and Tuesday.