Detroit Weather Update: Dangerous Heat & Thunderstorms Headed Our Way—Hourly Forecast & Safety Tips

Detroit is starting the week under soupy summer air, and the atmosphere is primed for afternoon fireworks. The National Weather Service keeps Metro Detroit in a marginal risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe thunderstorms today, meaning isolated cells could deliver 40–60 mph wind gusts, lightning and brief downpours capable of street flooding. Morning temperatures around 81 °F will climb to the low-80s before cloud cover and incoming storms cap the heat, but humidity will push the feels-like value well into the upper 80s. Timing the storms • Noon–4 p.m.: The most likely window for stronger cells sweeping west to east along I-96 and I-94. • 5–8 p.m.: Scattered showers linger, then skies gradually clear after sunset. • Overnight: Lows dip to the upper-60s with patchy fog where rain fell. Short-term break Behind today’s cold front, Tuesday and Wednesday trend sunnier with highs in the low-80s, lighter northwest breezes and noticeably lower humidity. Overnight lows slip to the mid-60s, offering a brief taste of more comfortable summer air. Weekend heat surge A sprawling dome of high pressure builds late week, sending Detroit’s temperatures into classic July territory: • Thursday: Mostly sunny, 82 °F. • Friday: Mostly sunny, 84 °F. • Saturday: First true heat-wave punch, 90 °F and humid. • Sunday: Partly cloudy, 88 °F with an isolated p.m. pop-up storm. Extended model guidance keeps highs in the mid- to upper-80s through early next week. What to know if you live in Metro Detroit • Secure patio furniture before today’s storms. • Check sump pumps; brief cloudbursts can overwhelm drains. • Heat safety returns this weekend: drink water, wear light clothing and limit strenuous work during the afternoon. • Pets and kids belong inside air-conditioning, not in parked cars—even a 10-minute errand can turn deadly. • Air-quality alerts are possible later this week as stagnant air and wildfire smoke aloft drift back into the Great Lakes region. Lake and travel impacts Wind gusts topping 20 knots during storms will create choppy conditions on Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie; small-craft operators should monitor real-time radar. Flight delays at DTW are possible during peak thunderstorm hours, so travelers should verify departure times before leaving home. Bottom line Detroit weather turns stormy and steamy today, calms mid-week, then cranks up the thermostat for the holiday weekend. Keep an eye on radar this afternoon, enjoy the quieter mid-week sunshine, and make heat-beating plans now for the 90-degree surge on the way.