The threat of strong storms will continue through evening with a marginal, or level one out of five, risk for isolated severe thunderstorms in our region. The main threat remains the chance of straight-line winds of up to 60 mph, but the afternoon and early evening storms consumed much of the fuel needed for severe weather.
Metro Detroit’s storm threat is on the northern fringes of a severe weather outbreak, which has brought multiple tornadoes to the Midwest and South.
While less intense than the activity in the South, storms in Southeast Michigan were responsible for downed trees and power lines in several communities. Damaging winds downed trees, power lines and utility poles in Washtenaw County.
The chance of showers and a few thunderstorms will continue into the night as a cold front advances across Southeast Michigan. Lows will be in the mid 40s. Winds will be out of the south at 10 to 20 mph and gusts up to 35 mph or greater.
A wind advisory has been extended until midnight for all of Southeast Michigan for the potential of gust up to 50 mph.
Severe storms eerily made their mark on this date 13 years ago
On March 15, 2012, a rare March tornado caused severe damage in Dexter. The tornado touched down northwest of Dexter and traveled southeast. The tornado intensified, as it slowly traveled alongside Dexter-Pinckney Road, and produced winds estimated at 135-140 at around 5:30 p.m. This gave the tornado an EF3 rating. The tornado lifted at 5:56 p.m. near Zeeb and Ann Arbor-Dexter roads. Along its 7.6-mile path, it destroyed more than a dozen homes and damaged more than 100 homes.
The National Weather Service also confirmed an EF0 tornado in Monroe County’s Ida Township, and an EF2 tornado about three miles south of Lapeer County’s Columbiaville.
Sunday
Wet and cooler weather can be expected for the second half of the weekend.
Rain will continue into Sunday morning and afternoon, but the air will be much cooler behind the cold front. Highs will be in the lower to mid 50s, which remains above normal. The average high for March 16 is 46 degrees. Winds will be out of the west at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
A few rain and snow showers will be possible in the evening as temperatures fall into the 40s and 30s.
Sunday night’s temperatures will fall back to freezing, with lows in the upper 20s to 30 degrees.
Monday
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will be met with pleasant weather. Under mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, temperatures will peak near 50 degrees. Lows will be in the mid 30s.
Tuesday and Wednesday
Highs will increase to the lower 60s for Tuesday and Wednesday. While Tuesday will be partly cloudy, it will be cloudier on Wednesday with a slight chance of rain showers.
The rain will move into Southeast Michigan at night, with lows in the mid 30s.
Looking Ahead
Rain and snow showers will be possible on Thursday, which is the first day of spring. Highs will range from the mid 40s to around 50 degrees.
Expect temperatures in the lower to mid 40s on Friday and Saturday.
