Upper Michigan – Quiet skies won’t last. Two rounds of thunderstorms are expected to sweep across the Upper Peninsula today, with the second wave carrying the greatest potential for severe weather during the afternoon and evening as a cold front moves through the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, the Upper Peninsula is under an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms across much of the interior west-central U.P., with a surrounding Slight Risk (Level 2) extending across much of the rest of the peninsula. The strongest storms could produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, frequent lightning, torrential rainfall, and an isolated tornado, especially across interior west-central counties.
The first round of showers and thunderstorms moved into the western U.P. during the morning, generally between 7 a.m. and noon EDT. While some storms could become strong, forecasters note uncertainty regarding how far east the morning activity will extend and how it may influence afternoon redevelopment.
Attention then shifts to the second round. Meteorologists expect stronger thunderstorms to develop ahead of and along the cold front between roughly 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. EDT, before spreading southeast through the evening. Communities including Ironwood, Watersmeet, Iron River, Marquette, Houghton, L’Anse, Escanaba, Munising, Newberry, and Sault Ste. Marie should closely monitor changing weather conditions.
Travel could quickly become hazardous on U.S. 2, U.S. 41, M-28, and M-35, where heavy rain, hail, and sudden wind gusts may reduce visibility and create dangerous driving conditions. Outdoor recreation, boating on Lake Superior, and afternoon events could also be interrupted by rapidly developing storms.
Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings today, including Wireless Emergency Alerts and NOAA Weather Radio. Additional Severe Thunderstorm Watches or Tornado Watches may be issued as confidence increases in storm development. If thunder roars or a warning is issued, move indoors immediately and remain there until storms pass.
