Game Day Weather

Submitted by mgoweather on

Thank you for the kind comments - I love Michigan and forecasting for the games on here is truly one of my favorite things to do! Let's get to it! It's a similar set-up to what we had last week. A cold front is working its way across the Great Lakes from north to south and is expected to drop through SE MI during the evening/overnight. This means we've got warm, humid air out ahead of the front, and a chance of rain & storms as it passes through - the better chances arriving in the afternoon with storm possibilities weakening in the evening hours. As of this morning, the chance of rain/storms is still just a chance - with severe weather possibilities (main threats being heavy rain and isolated strong wind gusts) looking to remain to the north (think north of I-69) and not be a concern for A2.

Tailgating

Starting off the day about ten degrees cooler than last Saturday. Those of you out there at 8am can expect 59 degrees and partly cloudy skies, winds out of the SW at 8-10mph (small twigs and leaves blow about). If you wore a light jacket in the morning, you won't need it by lunchtime with temps in the mid 70s. Still seeing some sunshine with those clouds, so today may be another one where you need some sunscreen fair-skinned friends! Winds are shifting to become more westerly at 10-12mph (loose paper blows about, small tree branches sway). The afternoon will bring a high of 84 degrees, and you'll notice an increase in cloud cover as well as a decrease in the winds (down to about 6-7mph towards the start of the game). The chance of a passing shower or storm is the highest in the afternoon, but it's a small chance.

Kickoff

Still warm for the start of the game tonight- 76 degrees! Still a decent amount of cloud cover around too, and also the chance of a rain shower. Winds are out of the west at about 5mph (just enough to feel it, some leaves will rustle).

Halftime

Halftime will still have us feeling pretty darn comfy under those lights! Dropping just a bit to 70 degrees. We'll have a lot of clouds hanging around, and that pesky chance of rain too. Winds are starting to shift a bit again as the front moves further south - out of the WNW at about 5mph.

Post-Game

We'll cool off a little more by the time you walk out of the stadium - down to 64. Winds are light at 3-5mph out of the WNW (winds this light you'd barely see ripples on a lake). We're going to keep just some of those clouds, and the slight chance of a passing shower. Didn't get enough throughout the day and headed out to celebrate a win? That walk home will be in the mid 60s, with a light NW breeze, and we haven't been able to shake that slight chance of rain yet. The rain possibilities come to an end early Sunday morning. For those traveling home from this epic game, Sunday afternoon will bring more and more sunshine, and highs will be in the low 70s - but it will be breezy. Winds behind our passing cold front are out of the NE at 10-20mph with gusts in the mid 20s (small trees begin to sway, some plastic garbage cans may tip over). To hell with Notre Dame!

 

Christina Burkhart is a meteorologist for NBC/ABC in Traverse City, MI. She grew up in Ann Arbor and associates Saturdays with Michigan football. Go Blue!!

Comments

bluebyyou

September 7th, 2013 at 7:22 AM ^

As always, thanks again for your coverage of the weather.

With the energy level for this game, and with the sardine effect from >114K fans, no one is going to be cold.

mGrowOld

September 7th, 2013 at 8:25 AM ^

Thanks again from your #1 & #2 fans (my wife and me).  We woke up this morning (we live in Cleveland) and the FIRST thing my wife said to me was "has the weather lady posted anything yet?"  You have NO idea how much your postings influence my wife's game-wear clothing selection.

You're the only weather-person I absolutely trust.  Good luck and thank you!