As much as I love SNL, this isn’t that kind of Weekend Update! Friday is looking better and better, though I still think we could see some scattered rain by Friday night, especially as games roll into the second half. Rain and some thunderstorms likely continue Friday night into Saturday morning. Models have hinted at a break in the rain Saturday afternoon, even some breaks in the clouds, but it might just end up being a reduction in intensity (more scattered drizzle than downpours for a few hours in the afternoon). Severe weather is not expected, but there will likely be pockets of occasional lightning and thunder. More rain is expected by late Saturday evening into Saturday night before finally tapering off by Sunday night. Keep reading for more details.

Friday

Friday looks cool but mainly dry until late. A few isolated showers are possible, but I feel confident that the bulk of the rain won’t arrive until closer to sunset. Temperatures top out around 70°F on Friday, and by game time they’re expected to be in the 60s.

Rainfall coverage increases overnight but temps remain stable around the mid-60s.

Saturday

Saturday morning looks soggy—no way around it. The only question I still have is how long the rain will linger on Saturday. All signs today pointed to things winding down early Saturday afternoon. I believe three outcomes are possible Saturday afternoon, and we won’t know until a few hours before. I’ve listed the three outcomes below, with the one I believe is most likely on top and the least likely on the bottom.

Most Likely

Rain, heavy at times early Saturday, tapers off early Saturday afternoon. We may see pockets of drizzle until more substantial rain arrives Saturday evening.

Possible (What I want to happen, so it won’t)

Rain ends by 3 PM, and we clear off until about 10 PM, when the next wave of showers and storms arrives. Minimal issues for the Notre Dame game and other afternoon and early-evening outdoor activities.

Less Likely (I hope…)

Rain slowly dissipates by early Saturday afternoon but doesn’t stop completely before more waves of steady rain arrive by late Saturday afternoon. Embedded thunderstorms cause delays at the ND game and could disrupt other local outdoor plans more significantly.

Regardless…

No matter what the outcome is Saturday afternoon, it looks like most of us will see at least an inch of rain between midnight Friday night and noon Saturday. That will lead to puddles and soggy areas for Saturday afternoon outdoor plans, whether it’s still raining then or not.

Sunday

Confidence in Sunday is lower, but it looks like the rain will (finally) end for good by Sunday late afternoon. Another 0.25-0.75” is possible on Sunday.

Beyond Sunday, things look much drier and, for at least the first half of the week, a little cooler, before warming up again later next week.