Weather forecast for the Bayview Mackinac Race: Possibility of isolated rain showers

This weekend marks the 100th Bayview Mackinac Race, and right now it looks like Mother Nature is cooperating and creating generally pleasant conditions for the majority of the race.

A high pressure system will be over the Great Lakes on Saturday morning, resulting in partly cloudy and calm conditions for the start of racing. Winds will be from the southwest at 6 to 12 knots, eventually shifting to the south late Saturday afternoon and evening. The windiest parts of Lake Huron, east of Saginaw Bay, on Saturday will be the central parts.

A weak cold front will move south early Sunday, crossing northern Lake Huron around midnight and the Thumb by late morning, bringing the possibility of scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms, but no severe weather is expected.

As the front passes through, boaters can expect winds to come from the northeast and speeds to temporarily increase to about 10 to 15 knots. Once the front passes through, winds should settle back down to about 6 to 12 knots.

Maximum waves of up to 2 feet (61 cm) are likely for Saturday and Sunday, with waves of 1 foot (30 cm) or less expected most of the time in most areas.