WEST MICHIGAN - Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon as a cold front approaches from the west. West Michigan has the ingredients to potentially see a few strong, perhaps severe storms with some marginal hail/wind. The Storm Prediction Center had placed our region under a marginal risk (the lowest threat category) for severe weather, but it has now been shifted east. Locally heavy downpours and lightning are also possible, but some areas may also get missed from this event.
The latest High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model and other short term forecast models suggest the chance of early/mid afternoon scattered showers/storms.
A few passing showers or perhaps a storm is possible for the Tulip Time festivities in Holland and Berlin Race Day in Marne, but a washout in not likely. So that means showers/storms are possible west of U.S. 131, but a westerly wind off Lake Michigan may create a shadow effect of stabilizing air and perhaps shunt some of the thunderstorm activity. Therefore, the better chance of these storms may actually be east of U.S. 131 through the afternoon.
Most of the rain moves out of West Michigan by 6 p.m. Saturday, with thunderstorms shifting closer to U.S. 127.
Stay tuned with the FOX 17 Weather Team for updates via social media, on-air, and online. The chance for a few passing showers continues into Sunday and Monday as a succession of cold front march through the state.
Cooler temperatures are coming for Sunday and Monday with readings in the 60s by the beginning of the week. Get the complete West Michigan forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather.
