MICHIGAN, USA — It’s been a week of heat, humidity and periodic thunderstorms across West Michigan, with impacts felt each day. However, temporary relief is in sight by the end of the weekend forecast.
SATURDAY
The heat will continue into Saturday as daytime temperatures soar into the upper 80s to lower 90s. Factoring the humidity – it’ll remain very muggy for West Michigan standards – heat index values will soar into the 90s to near 100F. However, Saturday will be the last day of this current heat wave with an incoming cold front by the end of the day into early Sunday.
The primary focus of Saturday revolves around thunderstorm development, including the risk of severe weather. Thunderstorms are possible as early as daybreak, primarily north of I-96, but are expected to be brief and any severe risk will be limited. Stronger thunderstorms are possible as early as this afternoon, primarily closer to US-10, in close proximity to a warm front that'll be positioned across Mid-Michigan. Further south, specifically I-96 and southward, much of Saturday will be dry before thunderstorms increase in coverage and intensity – northeast to southwest across West Michigan – late in the day into the nighttime hours with the arrival of the cold front. Thunderstorms are expected to end by daybreak Sunday.
The Storm Prediction Center currently has a Slight Risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe weather across West Michigan. Damaging wind is the primary risk, but hail and a spin-up tornado remain non-zero risks. The spin-up tornado risk is greatest from M-46 to US-10, in close proximity to the warm front. Flooding is a concern north of I-96, especially locations that have dealt with heavy rain earlier in the week. Additional heavy rain through Saturday night could cause ponding on roads and/or impacts in low-lying areas.
SUNDAY
Temperatures will be much cooler Sunday, ranging from the upper 70s to lower 80s – seasonable for late June. It’ll remain humid much of the day, but not as muggy as the week prior.
Clouds throughout the morning will give way to increasing sunshine throughout the afternoon and evening.
SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
You should have multiple ways to stay weather aware and receive critical weather information:
1. NOAA Weather Radio
The first is NOAA Weather Radio. We often refer to them as the “smoke detector” for severe weather, because they will automatically sound an alarm in the case of a natural disaster or severe weather.
2. Local Broadcast
There is also always your local TV station. The 13 ON YOUR SIDE Weather Department streams on-air and online during an active storm.
Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. When you open the app, you can enable your location to be sent active alerts in your area.
You can see the latest severe weather alerts here.
3. Radio Station
Local radio stations should alert you if a storm is in your area. You can even set up devices like Alexa and Google Home to alert you with weather notifications.
4. Smartphone
Your smartphones also offer numerous ways to receive critical weather alerts. We have a 13 ON YOUR SIDE Weather App allowing you to track the storm and receive alerts.
Download our weather app from the App Store for Apple Devices or for your Android device here.
5. Outdoor Sirens
Outdoor sirens are also an option, as they will go off in the threat of immediate danger, but are only meant to be heard outdoors. So, if you are inside, this should not be how you receive your severe weather alerts. Outdoor sirens can also be unreliable, difficult for those hard of hearing, and go off for other reasons beyond tornadoes.
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