Severe thunderstorm watch issued for parts of Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for portions of lower Michigan Friday evening.

The severe thunderstorm watch was for Calhoun, Branch and Eaton counties until 9 p.m. as a cold front sweeps across the state, though the threat will likely shift into eastern Michigan before the watch expires.

Storms have been developing along I-94 near Kalamazoo, and will continue to push eastward as the cold front progresses. Damaging wind gusts and hail will be possible with the strongest storms that do form. The greater severe threat will likely be east of I-69 for communities like Lansing, Flint, Jackson, Ann Arbor and Detroit.

East Lansing is also under the watch, and those planning to attend Friday night’s Michigan State University football game against Florida Atlantic University should remain weather aware through mid-evening.

The front has already passed east of Grand Rapids, so the storm threat for areas west of US-131 has already come to an end.

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