GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The 13 On Your Side Weather Department has issued a 13 Weather Impact Alert from 3 p.m. today to 4 a.m. Friday. Scattered thunderstorms will develop throughout the day and linger into the overnight hours. This comes as a low-pressure system works through our muggy and very warm environment.
WHEN
Isolated storms could develop as early as noon, but become more scattered from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. before the low-pressure system exits the region tomorrow afternoon. A vast majority of these thunderstorms will be under severe criteria, but an isolated severe storm is possible. This is why the Storm Prediction Center has placed us under a level 1/5 (marginal) risk for strong to severe storms. This is the lowest level threat, with more intense storms expected to the SW of West Michigan. Clouds will break apart heading into Friday evening and sunshine returns for Saturday and Sunday.
IMPACTS
The two main concerns from these storms will be heavy bursts of rain and gusty winds. With how humid and warm our atmosphere is, these storms could push out 1 to 2 inches of quick rainfall in very isolated pockets, while others remain completely dry.
In addition to the storms, dewpoints remain in the 70s making it uncomfortably muggy outside. Dewpoints will drop back into the 60s by the weekend, but we remain humid and sticky outside until then.
NEED
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
TEXT your weather photos to us at 616-559-1310.
Please include the following with your photo(s):
- Your storm photos
- Your first and last name
- Date and time of your photos
- Locations of your photos
- What’s in your photos?
13 Weather Impact Alerts highlight key times to be weather aware. Weather that has an impact on day-to-day plans will trigger an alert. The 13 Weather Impact Team will explain when to expect the weather, what impact it will have, and how to keep yourself safe and comfortable with clear, easy-to-understand graphics. See how to get these alerts here.
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