WEST MICHIGAN — Our FOX 17 Weather Team continues to track our next weekend weather system the past several days. Models are in general agreement that widespread rain showers, strong wind gusts, and warmer temperatures are in store for this upcoming Saturday night into Sunday.
A warm front will initially push into West Michigan on Saturday morning, bringing warm air and breezy conditions. A few light, brief showers are possible early Saturday with the initial warm front (perhaps even a light mix across our northern counties), but the majority of widespread rain showers is expected Saturday late evening/night as the low pressure system and cold front tracks into the state.
Temperatures soar into the upper 50s/lower 60s on Saturday, with some locations in southwest Michigan reaching the mid 60s. Temperatures are expected to stay warm overnight Saturday into Sunday morning in the 50s, before gradually falling Sunday afternoon behind the cold front. See the location of this storm system below, valid for 6 P.M. Saturday.
Winds pick up Saturday, especially in the evening/overnight hours from the south/southwest. As the cold front approaches Sunday early morning, the chance for widespread rain (even a thunderstorm or two) increases and winds will become stronger. Some wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible. Our warmest temperatures on Sunday will occur early before the cold front passes. Otherwise, expect readings to drop into the 40s through the day with cold air coming in behind this system.
See the forecast wind speeds below. The image is valid for 6 A.M. Sunday.
A HIGH WIND WATCH has been posted for Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, and Van Buren counties from late Saturday night through Sunday morning. Southwest winds between 30 to 45 mph are expected, with wind gusts up to 60 mph at times. Isolated power outages are possible, along with downed trees and difficult travel conditions.
The latest European Forecast Model predicts between a quarter and one third of an inch of rain. See image below. Flooding could be a minor concern this weekend!
Stay tuned with the FOX 17 Weather Team for updates on this incoming system! There's another chance for a wintry mix or snow on Monday. In fact, our forecast models are showing another swath of accumulating snow arriving on Monday/Monday night and dropping about 2" to 3" from Grand Rapids south/east. See our forecast model images below for snow/snow totals. Make sure to stay up on later forecasts as this may change.
Get the complete West Michigan forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather.
