The Storm Prediction Center has issued a high risk convective outlook for severe weather in the Central Plains for Saturday. A tornado outbreak is likely along with other severe weather conditions. It will definitely be an interesting day to watch the radar and see supercells pop up. The reason is a low pressure system that is currently centered around Arizona that will be quickly deepening as it enters the Plains. That same low will grant us some rain and possibly even thunderstorms, but not Saturday.
Saturday's forecast is a pleasant one. Temperatures will be warm and easily exceed 60 degrees for most of the U.P. and even get up to around the low 70s in some of the central locations. We have a brisk south wind to thank for such warm temperatures, but that same south wind will keep it a bit less warm near Lake Michigan with highs only in the 50 degree range. Skies will be mostly sunny.
Windy and dry conditions also make Saturday dangerous for fires, but that will end by Saturday night. As the strong low pressure system approaches with a warm front, we will likely see rain developing late at night from the south. Lows will fall into the 40s and will be warmest near Wisconsin. Winds will become light and shift to a more westerly flow.
Sunday will see rain and possibly some thundershowers throughout the day. Rain could be heavy at times. Highs will be mainly in the 50s, but it's likely that the western interior will be warmer than 60 degrees. As the low pressure center moves over the U.P. winds will tend to vary, but will be breezy at times.
Sunday night we will feel the effects of the backside of the low. Temperatures will plummet into the 30s and lower as a north wind takes over. Precipitation will continue, but with rapidly decreasing temps, it will likely turn to a mix of ice and snow late Sunday night into Monday.
Monday will see many highs in the upper 30s and a persistent rain and/or snow. Temperatures make the precip type difficult to forecast precisely. Conditions won't clear up until Monday night into Tuesday. After that, high pressure will take over and grant us some clearer skies, but temperatures will remain in the 40s for at least the next few days.
In light of today's likely severe weather outbreak NOAA recently created this short video summing up the differences between watches and warnings and how to prepare. For other weather info, join me on Facebook.
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