Weather service issues tornado watch for Lenawee and Monroe counties

A severe storm is moving toward metro Detroit, sweeping across southern Michigan and is expected to dump an inch or 2 of rainfall, some large hail, and could even spawn deadly tornadoes in Lenawee and Monroe counties.

"We’re monitoring a supercell thunderstorm that’s a couple counties away to the west and it’s moving southeast at about 40 mph and has a history of rotation," said weather service meteorologist Megan Varcie in White Lake Township. "It's this one thunderstorm that could be tornadic."

In other simpler terms, it’s big — and could be dangerous.

Here is the latest update to the Severe Weather Outlook.

Posted by US National Weather Service Detroit / Pontiac Michigan on Tuesday, August 6, 2024

So, just after 8 a.m., the weather service issued a tornado watch.

At about the same time, the weather service in Grand Rapids said it issued a tornado warning — which lasted for about half and hour with no mishaps — for part of Kalamazoo County. The weather service in Syracuse, Indiana, which also covers part of Michigan, issued two tornado warnings.

There was some damage in the Three Rivers area, downed trees and a structure that lost part of its roof, the weather service confirmed with the Free Press. The Syracuse office will be investigating whether it was caused by strong winds or a tornado.

A tornado watch, Varcie said, means people in those areas should be on alert, listening to hear whether the watch gets upgraded to a warning. And if that happens, folks should take shelter right away and keep listening for more alerts.

If there is hail, Varcie added, it could be 1-1½ inches in diameter, and winds could gust up to 60-70 mph.

Outside Lenawee and Monroe counties, the weather service said, there’s the possibility of some localized flooding, especially in urban and low-lying areas, and places near rivers and streams that tend to overflow, as the already-saturated ground tries to soak in even more rainfall.

The tornado watch is in effect until 3 p.m., and by about 4 p.m., Varcie said, the storm is expected to have moved through Michigan, with sunshine, and cooler and less humid weather, not far behind — for at least a couple days, that is.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Weather service issues tornado watch for Lenawee and Monroe counties