Chance of thunderstorms returns this weekend
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — An unsettled weather pattern continues in the weekend, with a chance of severe thunderstorms in West Michigan on Saturday.
Temperatures begin to warm into the weekend, with highs expected in the mid-70s Saturday and Sunday. Overnight lows dip only into the 50s at their coolest. This warm air causes instability, firing up the chance for storms throughout the weekend.
A warm front is set to lift across West Michigan in the late evening hours Friday through Saturday morning. This will trigger a chance for strong to severe storms.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed areas north of I-96 in a slight risk (level 2 of 5) and areas south of I-96 in a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for Saturday.
At this time, the main threats are damaging wind and large hail. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, but it remains unlikely due to the timing and placement of the system.
SUNDAY SEVERE RISK
Sunday brings more uncertainty as far as strong to severe thunderstorms. Several rounds of showers and storms will continue, with the potential for some to turn severe. As of Thursday, the Storm Prediction Center had placed a 15% risk of severe weather off to the west of Michigan.
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Once again, a warm front will set up to the north, firing up showers and storms in the morning hours. A few damaging wind gusts may be possible, but the threat looks significantly lower on Sunday compared to Saturday.
RAIN TOTALS
Regardless of the severe weather threat, rain totals will be impressive over the weekend. Most models are indicating around an inch of rain over a widespread area.
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On Tuesday evening, a line of storm dumped hail on parts of West Michigan and prompted severe thunderstorm warnings and a tornado warning, though there were no tornadoes ultimately confirmed.
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