Detroit, Michigan – Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep through much of southern and eastern Michigan Friday afternoon into the evening, putting millions at risk for damaging winds, hail, and isolated power outages.
According to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch (No. 466) is in effect until 8 p.m. CDT for 30 Michigan counties, including Wayne, Oakland, Genesee, Kalamazoo, and Macomb, as well as adjacent coastal waters like Lake St. Clair and outer Saginaw Bay.
Gusts up to 60 mph, brief heavy downpours, and hail up to 1 inch could impact travel along I-94, I-75, and US-23, particularly during peak evening commute hours. Boaters should use extreme caution on Lake Erie, the Detroit River, and the St. Clair River, where rapidly building waves and lightning are expected.
Cities such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing, and Monroe may experience brief street flooding and power flickers. Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, charge devices, and monitor local alerts.
The watch includes parts of Mid-Michigan, Southeast Michigan, and the Thumb Region, with conditions resembling a similar late-June outbreak in 2021.
More warnings or watches may be issued as the system evolves. Storms are expected to exit the state late tonight.
