Lansing, MI – A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for a large portion of southern Lower Michigan, with 20 counties under the alert until 8 p.m. EDT Saturday as conditions become favorable for severe thunderstorms.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 493 includes the counties of Branch, Calhoun, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Washtenaw, and Wayne.
Major cities included in the watch are Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Pontiac, Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Livonia, Southfield, Monroe, Port Huron, Adrian, Howell, Battle Creek, Coldwater, Sturgis, and Three Rivers.
Forecasters warn that thunderstorms developing this afternoon and evening could produce damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, large hail, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, torrential rainfall, and isolated power outages. Localized flooding and hazardous travel conditions are also possible during the strongest storms.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means atmospheric conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop but does not mean severe weather is occurring everywhere within the watch area. Residents should monitor weather conditions closely and be prepared to move to a sturdy building if a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued.
The watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. EDT, with additional watches or warnings possible as storms evolve across Lower Michigan.
