Severe thunderstorms in February? It’s possible for a big portion of Michigan this week.
The Severe Weather Prediction Center has placed most of the southern half of Lower Michigan, including Metro Detroit, in a risk level for severe storms on Monday night and Tuesday night.
The risk is lower for Monday night into early Tuesday morning, with areas from Grand Rapids, to Saginaw, to Detroit, listed in the “Marginal Risk” category, the lowest of five levels.
The risk increases for some areas on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with areas including Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Monroe listed in the “Slight Risk” category for severe weather, the second highest level.
The biggest threats with these storms are hail, winds, lightning and a small but isolated tornado chance, especially Tuesday night.
Temps are expected to rise into the 60s on Tuesday in Southeast Michigan.
---> Severe weather in Michigan: What each risk level means
Severe weather possible in Metro Detroit
Here’s what we’re tracking from 4Warn Weather’s Ashlee Baracy: Storms are expected to become more widespread in our area around 2 a.m. Wednesday. The storms will push north and east, and should move out of the region by around 6 a.m.
Gusty winds and hail are the primary threats during these storms -- although, rotating storms can’t be ruled out.
There will be more rain chances after 7 a.m. Scattered showers are possible across the region, and should clear out by the early afternoon.
Those in more northern parts of Metro Detroit, however, could see some snowflakes mixing in. That just goes to show you how quickly we’re going to cool down on Wednesday.