Michigan is in for a warm, dry weekend to close out the month of May, weather forecasters say, which could contribute to an increased wildfire risk across much of the state.
This weekend’s highs in Michigan are expected to range in the 70s with mostly sunny skies, with the western Upper Peninsula seeing the warmest weather, reaching the upper 80s.
“Quiet weather continues across the U.P. this weekend. Temps will be hottest today (May 28), pushing 90 in the west and near the WI border. Locations along the lakeshores will be a bit cooler in the 70s. Fire danger is high,” Marquette National Weather Service posted on social media on May 28.
The warm, sunny weather is part of what’s known as an omega block pattern, which forms the jet stream into an upside down “U” shape. The pattern will bring warm weather into Michigan over the next few weeks.
The Department of Natural Resources on Friday, May 29, warned residents statewide, especially across the northern Lower Peninsula and U.P., to be cautious about outdoor fires this weekend and into early June while favorable wildfire conditions persist: low humidity, heat and wind gusts.
A special weather statement was issued Friday because of an elevated fire risk across the northern L.P.
“We do not expect significant rainfall over the next 10 days, and that greatly increases the risk for wildfires,” DNR fire prevention specialist Paul Rogers said in the May 29 release. “Low moisture levels in conifer needles and dry pine fuels mean fires can start easily and spread quickly under the right conditions.”
“The main cause (47%) of wildfires in Michigan is burning yard debris, such as grass clippings, leaves, and trash,” according to Michigan Prepares.
Residents may review safety tips to prevent a wildfire via Michigan.gov/FireManagement, which includes the burn ban map, updated daily. The Mesowest Great Lakes Fire and Fuels map also shows the level of fire danger risk across Michigan each day.
Here’s a look at this weekend’s weather forecast:
How warm will it get in Detroit this weekend?
Here’s the forecast for Detroit:
Will it be hot in Lansing this weekend?
Here’s the forecast for Lansing:
What’s in the weekend forecast for Grand Rapids?
Here’s the forecast for Grand Rapids:
What will the weather be like in southwest Michigan?
Here’s the forecast for Coldwater:
Here’s the forecast for Kalamazoo:
Here’s the forecast for St. Joseph:
How hot will it get across northern Michigan?
“Elevated fire danger is in place across northern Michigan today (May 29) due to the combination of recent rain-free weather leading to drying vegetation, low humidity, and gusty winds. For the latest open burning information, please visit: http://dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits/,” the Gaylord NWS posted on social media on May 29.
Here’s the forecast for Gaylord:
Here’s the forecast for Traverse City:
Here’s the forecast for Alpena:
What’s in the forecast for the Upper Peninsula this weekend?
Here’s the forecast for Marquette:
Here’s the forecast for Sault Ste. Marie:
Here’s the forecast for Ironwood:
Contact Sarah Moore smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Warm, sunny weather should make for great weekend ahead in Michigan
Reporting by Sarah Moore, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
