SOUTH BEND, Ind. - After a gloomy and rainy midweek for Michiana, the skies clear and a warm-up into the upper 50s / low 60s returns for Friday and Saturday- just in time for St. Paddy's Weekend Festivities held across our area.  

This Friday, March 11th, it's the annual St. Paddy's Day Tent Party & Pub Tour in Downtown South Bend.  Friday's festivities kick off at 5PM with temperatures in the mid to upper 50s under wall to wall sunshine.  No need to bring your green umbrella as there is no rain in the forecast for Friday, but those four leaf clover sunglasses will be necessary before sunset.  More information as well as the sequence of events and pricing of tickets can be found here.

The following day, Saturday, March 12th, is the 18th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, also in Downtown South Bend, kicking off at 11AM at the corner of East Jefferson Blvd and Frances Street.  Immediately following the parade, the DTSB St. Patrick's Day tradition continues at the East Race, so be sure to check out the greening of the East Race waterway.  Find out more information on where to go to line up for the parade here.  

The forecast for Saturday starts off with temperatures in the lower 50s under plenty of sunshine, before temperatures warm-up into the lower 60s by the later afternoon hours.  The next chance for rain returns late Saturday night into early Sunday, so be sure to get outdoors and enjoy the first half of the weekend before having to bring the umbrella around during your Sunday travels.

As always, you can check your hour by hour forecast with the ABC57 First Warning Neighborhood Weather App for your smart phone during your St. Patrick's Weekend plans.  Download the app here and have a safe and enjoyable weekend.