GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It'll be an active Friday weather-wise, with the focus of the forecast turning to the potential of severe weather toward this evening.
Soaking rain, strong winds and isolated strong to severe storms are expected today. It's already been a soggy morning and evening, with more thunderstorms expected through the early am hours of Saturday.
WHERE
The highest potential for severe weather is across the southwest portions of Michigan. Those highlighted in yellow are under a level 2 out of 5 threat for severe storms—generally a line from Muskegon through Kalamazoo and to the southwest. Here, there's a higher likelihood of scattered strong to severe storms.
To the north and east, throughout the rest of West Michigan, a level 1 out of 5 risk exists. The potential for a thunderstorm to become severe will remain isolated.
TIMING
Storms have been ongoing for many hours this evening, but some strong to severe storms will remain possible from now through the early AM hours Saturday.
Storms will start to exit the region as we head past midnight Friday and into the early part of Saturday.
THREATS
The strongest threat in these storms is damaging winds. Winds could potentially gust 60+ mph. This could lead to isolated power outages and tree damage. There is a smaller threat of large hail and flooding, but it does exist. As for tornadoes, those in a level 2 threat—towards the southwest corner of Michigan—could see a brief isolated tornado, but chances are limited as well.
Regardless, being "weather aware" is key when severe weather is possible.
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