Severe weather is expected to impact Michigan on Wednesday, bringing the threat of damaging winds, flooding and isolated tornadoes to different areas of the state.
What to expect in Southeast Michigan
In Southeast Michigan, a wintry mix in the morning was replaced by steady rainfall.
There is a slight chance for a severe storm to develop early in the afternoon due to a lifting warm front, but the chance for a line of strong to severe storms is most likely from 5 p.m. to midnight, due to an approaching cold front.
The severe storm threat heightens after sunset and will bring the threat of:
- Damaging wind gusts of up to 70 mph
- Large hail up to an inch in diameter
- Flooding, with 1-2 inches of rain expected through Thursday morning
Due to this, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
It’s in effect from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning.
LIVE COVERAGE: Click here to watch our continuing live coverage of today’s storms, all day on Local 4+.
What to expect in Northern Michigan
One to two inches of snow was expected early Wednesday morning in Northern Michigan before changing to freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service in Gaylord.
Thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, with wind gusts up to 40+ mph expected.
The strong winds could lead to more downed trees, worsening conditions in the area following the recent ice storm, which also caused downed power lines and left thousands without power.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Antrim, Arenac, Benzie, Crawford, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Wexford counties through 2 p.m.
Residents should use caution while driving due to slippery road conditions and the possibility of downed trees.
What to expect in West Michigan
Thunderstorms are also possible in West Michigan. Severe storms are expected in the afternoon and evening, mostly near and south of I-96, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. This brings the threat of damaging wind gusts of 70+ mph, large hail and the chance of tornadoes.
Localized flooding is possible near and south of M-20 due to the storms. The NWS also says damaging winds and waterspouts are possible south of Muskegon.
Severe weather risk levels explained
Southeast Michigan is now under a slight risk, while Northern Lower Michigan is under a marginal risk for severe weather.
Marginal, Slight, Enhanced, Moderate, and High risks represent progressively larger threats for organized severe storm episodes.
Thunderstorms (light green) - General or non-severe thunderstorms - Delineates, to the right of a line, where a 10% or greater probability of thunderstorms is forecast during the valid period.
1-Marginal (dark green) - Marginal risk - An area of severe storms of either limited organization and longevity, or very low coverage and marginal intensity.
2-Slight (yellow) - Slight risk - An area of organized severe storms, which is not widespread in coverage with varying levels of intensity.
3-Enhanced (orange) - Enhanced risk - An area of greater (relative to Slight risk) severe storm coverage with varying levels of intensity.
4-Moderate (red) - Moderate risk - An area where widespread severe weather with several tornadoes and/or numerous severe thunderstorms is likely, some of which should be intense. This risk is usually reserved for days with several supercells producing intense tornadoes and/or very large hail, or an intense squall line with widespread damaging winds.
5-High (magenta) - High risk - An area where a severe weather outbreak is expected from either numerous intense and long-tracked tornadoes or a long-lived derecho-producing thunderstorm complex that produces hurricane-force wind gusts and widespread damage. This risk is reserved for when high confidence exists in widespread coverage of severe weather with embedded instances of extreme severe (i.e., violent tornadoes or very damaging convective wind events).
