Severe thunderstorms could rake mid-Michigan Sunday, Monday

GRAND RAPIDS — The National Weather Service on Saturday said Michigan could see strong thunderstorms Sunday into Monday, and Consumers Energy said it's making sure it's prepared.

"Increasingly warm and humid conditions will arrive over the weekend into early next week, and may be accompanied by a few rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms," the weather service said. "High temperatures will approach 90 degrees Sunday and Monday with increasing humidity. The heat and humidity will fuel rounds of showers and thunderstorms through Monday night, some of which could be strong or severe with damaging winds."

The weather service said storms will begin to form late Saturday over Wisconsin and move toward Michigan.

"Storms are possible after midnight (Sunday), especially west of U.S. 131. These storms could contain strong wind gusts and torrential rainfall. Otherwise, increasing clouds are expected with lows from 65 to 71. The potential exists for strong to severe storms with wind gusts to 60 mph and 1-inch hail, along with locally heavy rainfall," the weather service said.

Consumers Energy said it is bringing in company crews and contract crews from Michigan and 13 states to respond to storms that could lead to power outages.

“We are getting our crews ready — and we want the public to be ready — for storms that could bring high wind gusts,” said Chris Laird, Consumers Energy’s vice president for electric operations. “Even as we’ve just finished responding to flooding and other severe weather this week, it’s important to know we are not letting our guard down. We will be sure we’re prepared for whatever Mother Nature brings this weekend.”

Sunday’s weather looks to hit the Lower Peninsula in two waves, Consumers said in a release, around daybreak and then later at night.

Severe weather could continue into Monday.

"A couple of rounds of strong to severe storms are possible Monday and Monday night," the weather service said. "The first is from midnight through 5 a.m. Monday, then again Monday night. The main threats will be wind gusts to 60 mph and hail up to 1-inch, along with locally heavy rainfall."