Flood watch issued as heavy rain, cold head for Ann Arbor

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Heavy rains expected to move into the Ann Arbor area Saturday night have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch.

Rainfall could total 1 to 1.5 inches, forecasters said. That much water, combined with recent rainfall and snow melt, could lead to flooding of creeks and streams and urban areas, the weather service said.

Minor river flooding is also expected. The flood watch is in effect from 10 p.m. Saturday through Sunday morning.

The heavy rain follows a two-day period of unseasonably warm weather.

The temperature stood at 59 degrees at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, according to the National Weather Service. A high of 59 would break the previous high record of 58, set in 1898, according to records kept by Dennis Kahlbaum, University of Michigan Weather observer.

Highs were also near 60 on Friday, but much colder weather is ahead.

The rain is expected after 8 p.m. Saturday. The low will drop to about 36 degrees and winds will gust to about 22 mph, forecasters said. The flood watch area includes Washtenaw, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Wayne counties.

Rain will continue Sunday before 1 p.m., then change to rain and snow. Forecasters predict a high of 41. Snow accumulation of less than 1 inch is expected.

Sunday night, there’s a chance of snow showers before 1 a.m. The low will drop to around 22.

Monday, it will be mostly sunny but much colder with a high of only 29. Through Friday, the National Weather Service predicts highs near 30 and lows around 20.

Cindy Heflin is associate news director at AnnArbor.com. Contact her at cindyheflin@annarbor.com or 734-623-2572 or follow her on Twitter.