Leaving Birmingham This Weekend? Here's What You Need to Know

There's plenty to do in and around Birmingham this weekend, but if you still want to leave town, here's what you need to know first:

The weather:

Temperatures in Birmingham will be warm and sunny Saturday and Sunday, with highs in the mid- to upper-80s and clear skies — perfect for viewing the . Friday, however, there is a chance of thunderstorms and showers, with the high around 88 degrees. The 4th of July will be partly sunny, with a chance of thunderstorms and a high near 86 degrees.

For those traveling to northwestern Michigan, temperatures will be a little cooler this weekend near Traverse City, with highs between 78 and 82 degrees. Friday also has a chance of thunderstorms. In Mackinaw City, it gets even cooler, with highs around 70 and 72 degrees Saturday and Sunday. And in Marquette, the highs Saturday and Sunday will be 77 and 80 degrees.

On July 4, it will be 77 degrees and sunny in Traverse City, 69 degrees and sunny in Mackinaw City and 73 degrees and sunny in Marquette.

The fuel report:

This morning, the cheapest gas around town was reported at the at 33588 Woodward Ave. it was $3.79 a gallon for regular unleaded, according to DetroitGasPrices.com. The at 36101 Woodward Ave. was $3.85 per gallon, as was the at 1065 E. Maple Rd.

If you just want to get out of town and don't want to take the time to fill up before leaving, know that the Birmingham-area gas stations are only slightly higher than the average Detroit gas station price $3.70 and much higher than the Michigan average at $3.67.

Six gas stations in the city of Clare, which some consider the borderline between "Up North" and everywhere else, reported gas prices ranging from $3.54 to $3.76 on Friday morning — though don't try to make it all the way from here to there before filling up.

Trash collection:

Don't worry too much about the trash: trash and curbside recycling collection will be delayed one day in Birmingham next week, since the holiday falls on a weekday.

When you get home:

Prepare for some hot weather and possible showers and thunderstorms Tuesday, with a high of 87 degrees in Birmingham.