Strong to severe storms possible today

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan has a chance for severe storms this afternoon and evening, with the primary concern being strong winds and hail.

The Storm Prediction Center reports a 60% chance of issuing a severe thunderstorm watch for West Michigan.

SLIGHT RISK

The Storm Prediction Center has placed counties near and south of I-96 into a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather. The rest of the area is holding onto a marginal risk (level 1 of 5). This means widespread severe weather is not likely, but a few storms could be strong enough to produce pockets of damage.

This afternoon, a line of storms is expected to erupt tracking southeast after developing. There’s variation on where precisely that line will form, but the greatest chance of severe weather locally appears to line up along and south of the I-94 corridor.

The top concerns will be damaging wind gusts and large hail. An isolated tornado cannot be fully ruled out. A 2% chance remains for most of the state.

Additional waves of showers or thunderstorms are possible after the main line in the afternoon. These are not expected to be severe. Most areas will receive between 0.10 to 0.50 inches of rain Thursday into Friday morning.

HEAT WAVE AHEAD

Behind Thursday’s storm system, quiet weather once again returns. Mostly sunny skies are expected into the weekend as temperatures begin to warm. A few isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible for the northern half of the area on Father’s Day.

By early next week, the heat ramps up. High temperatures will rise into the low 90s with dew points into the upper 60s. The heat index (feels-like temperature) will likely near the triple digits at times.

Stay with Storm Team 8 for the latest forecast.

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