Not Quite So Wet?

Good Morning!


As we roll downhill into the weekend, it looks to be a damp one, but not so wet as in prior forecasts.  It looks like there will be a space or two during the weekend to squeeze in some outdoor activities, where with earlier forecasts, the whole weekend looked to be pretty well washed out.


Warmer air has settled into the area, with most spots reporting 50's already, with some clouds in the area.  We're close enough to the weekend now that we can get a fairly clear picture of how things should shake out, so one deeper dive coming up!


TEMPERATURES:  We'll see most places in South Central Michigan make a good run at or get to 70 or better today, all under increasingly cloudy skies, with perhaps a touch of sun here and there.  We'll be keeping the clouds around for the weekend, as a low pressure system tracks this way from the southwest.  After today, we'll see temperatures start trending down again, landing in the mid 50's during the day to start next week.


RAIN:  It's coming, that's for sure.  Indications are that we should be able to get though most of the day dry, with a dry trip home for the evening commute.  We'll start the rain around dinnertime.  That will stay with us off and on all weekend long.  The shower activity we get will give us some decent watering though, rain totals for the next 5 days should come in from a quarter-inch southeast to an inch or so northwest.  Here's a look at the 5 day precipitation map from the National Weather Service.

This will help out the grass and the flower beds in the area.  Off to the northwest though, where that surface low is expected to track, look at that almost 2 inches of rain up through Cadillac, Manistee, and up to Traverse City.  And out east, over three inches is expected between now and Monday morning!


SEVERE WEATHER:  Go far away for that.  The Storm Prediction Center is currently forecasting only one day out of the next three where any part of lower Michigan has any chance at thunderstorm activity, and that's for tomorrow.  Here's the map for that day only which is Day 2, the forecast is valid starting at 8AM Friday morning:

As you can see, just a risk of plain ol' thunderstorms, off in the extreme southeast corner of Michigan.


Here's the current satellite image.  I had to use a different source than I usually do, as the regular site is down for maintenance.  You can see the map of Michigan with the satellite data superimposed on it.  Not much going on.

Now with that done, here's the local forecast for Jackson and surrounding communities including Vandercook Lake and Hanover:


For today, sunny to start, then increasing clouds, high temperature 72, winds SW 5-10 MPH.


Tonight, cloudy skies, a 40% chance of showers late, nighttime lows of 52, winds southerly 8-15 MPH.


Friday, cloudy, rain showers start after lunchtime, a bit cooler with a high of 63.  Winds NNW 5-10 MPH.


Friday night, cloudy skies clear off late, nighttime lows down to 35, winds N 10-15 MPH.


Saturday, sunny, cooler, high temperatures near 55, winds NNE 7-15 MPH.


Sunday, periods of clouds and sunshine, seasonable, high 55.


Back to work on Monday under clear skies, high of 56.


Tuesday, clear skies, warming, high of 60.


There's a look at your forecast for the next 6 days - I do hope you have a wonderful Thursday!  Blessings.