West Michigan Weather forecasters have been tracking the potential for severe weather on Thursday of this week for the last several days. We first made our community audience aware of this potential yesterday when the SPC introduced a Level 1/2 Extended Range Severe Weather Outlook.
Today the SPC has issued its first short-term, or "Categorical,' Severe Weather Outlook for Thursday.
Said Categorical Severe Weather Outlook features a broad Marginal Risk (level 1/5) of Severe Weather for nearly all of the Lower Penisula of Michigan, including all of our coverage area here in Western and Southwestern Lower Michigan.
While details surrounding this event still remain a little bit unclear it is most likely that the afternoon and evening hours will bring the greatest likelihood for isolated to perhaps widely scattered severe weather. In terms of severe threats, it is possible that all severe hazards may be on the table, however, it currently appears that damaging winds of 40-60 MPH will be the largest threat with a lower threat for small to large hail, and perhaps an even lower brief/weak tornado risk.
Locally heavy rainfall and an isolated flash flooding risk, especially across far southwestern lower Michigan, will also be a concern on Thursday with plenty of moisture (Precipitable Water Content - how much water is available to become precipitation) to suggest that rainfall totals could easily surpass 1 inch in some areas.
We'll continue to track this severe weather threat and will provide updates here on our website and via social media as additional details come into view and forecast confidence increases. Stay tuned! Make sure that you are #WeatherAware!
Did You Know? West Michigan Weather accepts storm reports! We want to know what's happening outside your window! Have reports of storm damage, hail, wind, or flooding? You can send them to us here on our website! Just click on the button below! There's also a link to our storm reports form in the top menu bar under the "Weather" tab.
Want to know what's been happening in West Michigan so far in 2024? You can check out the storm reports map using the same button below.
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