GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Severe thunderstorms, including an isolated tornado, are possible across parts of West Michigan Tuesday afternoon and evening.
The Storm Prediction Center has areas generally south of I-96 highlighted in a level 2 of 5 (slight) risk for severe thunderstorms Tuesday, while areas north have a level 1 (marginal) risk. This threat is primarily for the second of two rounds of precipitation that are expected.
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The first batch of precipitation is inbound from the southwest and will arrive into the afternoon. This line is leftover from last night’s severe weather in the plains; however, it’s continuing to weaken and won’t pose a severe threat here. The line should approach the lakeshore between noon and 1 p.m. and sweep through Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo between 1 and 3 p.m.
The atmosphere will quickly recover after the first batch rolls through. Strong wind shear (change in wind speed/direction) and instability (energy in the atmosphere) will combine to create explosive thunderstorm development by mid to late afternoon, moving from southwest to northeast. Storms are very likely by the evening commute, with some weather models suggesting widespread activity.