WEST MICHIGAN — A cold front sliding through the state, firing up scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS are in effect. For your latest alerts in West Michigan, click HERE. We have all of the ingredients in place to see additional Severe Thunderstorm Warnings through this evening, which includes moisture, lift, and instability. These storms are traveling from the northwest towards the southeast.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH is in effect for most of West Michigan until 8 p.m. Thursday. This means that the conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms within the counties in pink.
Wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail up to 1.25" in diameter will be possible with some of these storms. Brief, heavy downpours and frequent lightning are also possible. Any tornado threat is low, but not zero. Make sure you have a way to receive severe weather watches/warnings/advisories and stay weather alert and aware, particularly this afternoon. Our FOX 17 team of Meteorologists will be tracking the chances and threats.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of our area in a SLIGHT RISK, a level two of five. Some locations may get missed on the much needed rain, but remember chances are there for severe storms. It's possible West Michigan experiences a few stronger storms, but we believe the majority of any severe weather may actually shift to areas east of U.S. 131, and especially along/east of U.S. 127 toward Detroit, Flint, and Saginaw, with an increased hail threat and tornado threat there.
More information can be found at www.fox17online.com/weather
