Grand Rapids, Michigan – A potentially dangerous tornado and damaging wind outbreak is forecasted to impact states to the west of Michigan later today. While the severity of the storms may diminish as they reach Michigan, a significant risk remains for severe weather.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) warns that individual supercell thunderstorms could develop in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois, potentially producing strong tornadoes, damaging wind gusts up to 90 mph, and large hail over 2 inches in diameter. As the storms merge, they are expected to form a squall line with a higher risk of straight-line winds. West of Grand Rapids, a level 3 severe weather risk is forecasted, while most of Lower Michigan faces a level 2 risk. By the time the storms reach Ann Arbor, Detroit, and the Thumb region overnight, they are expected to fall below severe criteria.
The severe wind forecast indicates the possibility of high-end wind gusts, with some areas having the potential for gusts reaching 75 mph or higher. The SPC mentions the likelihood of gusts up to 90 mph in storms approaching Michigan. The tornadic activity is more probable in the western part of Lower Michigan, with isolated tornadoes expected in areas like Traverse City, Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo.
The projected timing of the storm line shows it approaching the Lake Michigan shoreline by early evening at the earliest, with some data suggesting a delay until late evening. The storms are anticipated to progress into eastern Lower Michigan by late evening to the middle of the night. While severe storms during the night are not unprecedented, the risk decreases significantly later in the evening.
As the weather progresses this evening and overnight, residents are advised to stay informed and prepared for potential severe weather. Updates will be available as new information becomes available. Stay tuned for further details as the situation develops.