MICHIGAN — A volatile severe weather setup came extremely close to producing a significant tornado event across southwest Michigan last night, April 2nd. Multiple rotating storm cells moved through the region, prompting several tornado warnings and creating dangerous conditions across multiple counties.
Six Storm Cells Trigger Multiple Tornado Warnings
A total of six primary storm cells were responsible for five separate tornado warnings issued by National Weather Service offices in Grand Rapids and North Webster.
Strong wind shear in the atmosphere—measured at three to five times typical values—created an environment supportive of storm rotation as the system moved into Michigan.
Kalamazoo County Saw Highest Warning Activity
Kalamazoo County experienced the most intense activity, with four tornado warnings issued throughout the evening, more than any other county.
Nearby areas also saw notable storm rotation, including:
- Van Buren County
- Calhoun County
- Cass County
- St. Joseph County
These regions experienced varying levels of rotation as storms tracked through.
Battle Creek Narrowly Avoids Direct Impact
Battle Creek was described as one of the luckiest locations during the event, as two strong rotational signatures passed through different parts of the city within 45 minutes…