Rain To Start, Then Drier For The Weekend!

Good Afternoon!

Hazy sunshine, breezy conditions and mild temperatures greet us this afternoon throughout South Central Michigan, and some showers are beginning to pop up here and there in Michigan.  Those isolated to scattered showers will continue to fire for the next few hours and increase in coverage a little bit.  They die off for tomorrow before the main body of rain works into the area.  Let's have a look and see what's running under the hood:

TEMPERATURES:  The average temperature this time of year in the area is 79, and we'll be in the ballpark for sure for the next week, with forecast models suggesting a range from 76-80 for the next 7 days. All of the heat under the ridging out in the Plains, into the Desert Southwest and Interior West looks to stay put for the time being, which is good.  Out that way, 100 in Phoenix, 100 in 29 Palms, California.  Air conditioned on the Pacific Coast.  Here in Michigan, seasonable without too much humidity.  Have a look at the temperature map and see what it all looks like:

US Surface Temperature Plot - Look at the heat in the Southwest!

RAIN:  Not a whole lot of wet weather expected beyond Tuesday here in Michigan.  In the short term, a trough with a surface low nestled in the base of it is poised to move through tomorrow and into Tuesday, and that will kick off some showers and perhaps a few rumbles of thunder as well.  We'll get those out of here as the day moves ahead on Tuesday, and I think we see some sun late Tuesday afternoon.  Of course the timing could change, so we'll keep an eye on it.  I see a chance of scattered showers tonight, and these will become more numerous tomorrow, keep an umbrella handy as the rain works in from the west.  Here's what the Weather Prediction Center thinks regarding rainfall for the next five days:

As you can see we are projected to pick up between three-quarters of an inch and one inch of rain.  We'll see the lion's share of that in the next 24-36 hours.

SEVERE WEATHER:  Nothing much on that front for Michigan.  The Storm Prediction Center shows Michigan in just a "general" thunderstorm category for the next few days.  The slight risk areas stay well away, off to the northwest, southwest, or south of Michigan.

Here's a look at the radar and satellite composite:

Visible Satellite with NEXRAD Radar composite overlay

And here's the forecast:

And here's the seven day outlook, taking us into RACE WEEKEND!

There's a look at your forecast, I hope you have a great evening!  Blessings!