The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has increased the chances for severe weather in Mid-Michigan for Thursday. Lightning and heavy downpours are the most likely weather hazards. But, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma feels there is an increased threat of isolated tornadoes in lower Michigan. The threat of damaging winds and large hail have also been increased.

The NWS forecast calls for breezy conditions both Thursday afternoon and Friday, with storms approaching in the afternoon and evening hours.

MLive.com meteorologist Mark Torregrossa broke it down with a bit more detail on his end. According to his article, a first wave of showers and storms in the late morning and early afternoon Thursday will likely not pack the severe punch expected later in the evening, and will likely affect the northern portions of lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. But, as afternoon temperatures increase, a second wave of storms will develop across the southern half of the Lower Peninsula around 6:00 PM.

As can be seen below in the Twitter post released by the Storm Prediction Center Wednesday afternoon, the chance of tornadoes is around 15% (a noticeable increase) in an large area of lower Michigan that includes Lansing and Jackson. The area extends from The Thumb to Northern Indiana and Northern Ohio.


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