It’s spring, and with spring often comes tornados in Michigan, or at least the possibility of tornados. Severe thunderstorms are projected to make their way though Michigan on Wednesday (April 5), and that will bring the possibility of isolated tornadoes in many areas of the state, according to the National Weather Service.
So, when and where will these storms hit? Here’s the timeline and where these possible storms will occur.
The most severe storms are expected to reach lower Michigan sometime between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday (April 5), according to the National Weather Service, and temperatures will flirt with 70 degrees. Western and central areas of the state will see storms earlier. Of course, the warm weather and storms, coming from cooler weather, is the perfect formula for tornados. Meteorologists say the storms could be severe, with heavy rain, gusty winds, hail and tornadoes. There is also a tornado watch throughout much of lower Michigan until 4 p.m. Wednesday.
So, where will the severe storms take place? The area most likely to get tornado activity and severe weather is across southeastern Michigan and part of the lower Great Lakes. The National Weather Service says the metro Detroit area as an “enhanced” possibility of such storms, meaning there is “high confidence that several storms will contain damaging winds, severe hail and/or tornadoes.”
As of Wednesday), for the Detroit area, the National Weather Service says, “Numerous showers and storms will continue to expand across southern MI through the afternoon hours. Wind gusts to 40 mph are the main threat north of I-69. The better severe threat will enter in the afternoon and likely south of I69, where there is better instability.” For Grand Rapids, Lansing and Jackson, they state, “Thunderstorms continuing moving through the region, with the greatest risk for damaging winds and an isolated tornado near and east of I-69 through early afternoon. Still possible for an additional severe storm mid afternoon along the cold front.”
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