GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Two rounds of thunderstorms are possible today. The first batch was this morning and the second round this afternoon. It's the afternoon round of storms that could present the potential for isolated to scattered severe storms.
WHAT
Scattered showers and mainly non-severe thunderstorms will move through West Michigan from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., mainly north of I-96. These storms could contain thunder and lightning but will cross our cooler lake in the early morning hours. We do not expect them to gain enough strength to become severe.
However, a cold front pushes into West Michigan around 3 p.m., which will spark up additional thunderstorms that will interact with high dewpoints and temperatures in the 80s. This and other atmospheric ingredients could intensify storms, especially south of I-96. Those at the highest risk for severe weather are placed under a level 2/5 threat for severe weather.
SEVERE TIMING
Storms will cross Lake Michigan around 3 p.m. Lake Michigan will initially act as a buffer and cause the storms to become weaker. The storms will likely gain strength once east of US-31 and continue to gain strength the further southeast they travel. Storms will likely be wrapping up by 7 p.m., but an isolated storm could be possible as late as 10 p.m. Skies will clear after 10 p.m., dew points will drop, and temperatures will be more comfortable in the upper 70s to low 80s.
IMPACTS
Strong damaging winds and large hail continue to be the main threats within this line of storms. However, we can't rule out a spin-up tornado and even isolated flooding due to quick bursts of heavy rainfall.
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.
TEXT US
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- Your storm photos
- Your first and last name
- Date and time of your photos
- Locations of your photos
- What’s in your photos?
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