Detroit, MI – A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. EDT Saturday for much of southeast Michigan, including the Detroit metropolitan area, as conditions remain favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.
According to the National Weather Service in Detroit/Pontiac, 12 counties are included in Watch 493: Genesee, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne.
Major cities under the watch include Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Pontiac, Warren, Sterling Heights, Livonia, Dearborn, Troy, Southfield, Novi, Port Huron, Monroe, Adrian, Howell, Lapeer, and Owosso.
The watch also covers portions of the Detroit River, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, western Lake Erie, and Lake Huron, with the National Weather Service extending the watch to include the nearshore waters from Port Sanilac to Port Huron.
Forecasters warn that thunderstorms developing this afternoon and evening may produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, torrential rainfall, and isolated power outages. Boaters on area lakes and rivers should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and seek safe harbor if storms approach.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe storms to develop. Residents should monitor forecasts closely and be ready to take shelter immediately if a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued for their location.
The watch is scheduled to remain in effect until 8 p.m. EDT, though it could be adjusted depending on evolving weather conditions.
