Severe weather possible in most of Lower Michigan: What to expect and when (2024)

The majority of Lower Michigan is at risk for severe weather on Friday.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the Lower Peninsula in a “marginal” risk category for severe storms on Friday, Aug. 16. The area includes areas south of Traverse City.

“Marginal” is the lowest of five severe weather risk levels.

Isolated thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail, with locally heavy rainfall. The tornado risk is very low.

The window for possible storms is Friday afternoon through early Friday night. In Metro Detroit, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

---> Read more from 4Warn Weather here

From Ashlee Baracy: Showers with some embedded thunderstorms work across the area this morning into early afternoon. Highs will be back around 80. There remains a Marginal (1 out of 5) risk for severe weather this afternoon through early tonight. Isolated thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts to 60 mph.

In addition, storms may bring locally heavy rainfall. Some model data indicated the inclement weather arriving as early as the lunch hour, but the greatest potential for severe weather seems to fall between 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Expect these storms to move from the southwest to the northeast at 35 mph.

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How to prepare your home, family for severe weather events

• Identify the lowest place to take shelter in your home. If a basem*nt does not exist, find an interior hallway away from windows, doors, and outside walls. Go under something sturdy — such as a workbench or stairwell — when taking shelter in the basem*nt or designated spot.

• Prepare for a power outage by filling plastic containers with water and placing them in the refrigerator and freezer. Cold water bottles will help keep food cool during a power outage and can also be used for drinking water.

• Charge cell phones and other wireless communication devices.

• Secure outdoor objects that could be blown around, such as garbage cans and patio furniture.

• Sign up to receive text or email alerts from your local news media or emergency management agency. Plan a way to stay tuned to commercial radio or television broadcasts for news on changing weather conditions or approaching storms.

• Ensure emergency preparedness kits are fully stocked with enough food, water and other supplies to last 72 hours per person. Double-check to ensure there are supplies for your pets.

• Check the weather before leaving for a destination. If the weather forecast looks dangerous, reschedule or postpone the driving trip.

  See Also

  10-Day Weather Forecast for Larned, KS - The Weather Channel | weather.com

Power outages are of particular concern in Metro Detroit, where outages have occurred frequently amid severe weather.

Safety tips during a storm

• Stay at least 20 feet away from downed power lines and anything they are in contact with, including puddles of water and fences. Keep children and pets away too.

• Be extremely cautious near metal fences, which conduct electricity, following a severe storm. Electric current will be the strongest where a downed power line is touching a metal fence. Even a connecting fence several backyards away can be energized and dangerous.

• Never cross yellow barrier tape. It may be around downed power lines.

• Never drive across downed power lines. If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside your car until emergency help arrives.

• A live power line may spark and whip around as it looks for a ground. A ground is the earth or something touching the earth, like a fence or a tree. A live wire that has found its ground may lie silently, but it is still dangerous. Report a downed power line online, on the DTE Energy Mobile App or call us immediately at 800-477-4747.

• Cable or telephone lines can be energized if they come in contact with electrical lines. Contact with any energized power line can be fatal.

• Never use a portable generator inside a home or business. It emits carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Keep it outside, away from windows and doors, so the fumes won’t come in.