Weather Alert Day Wednesday for strong to severe storms

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The storm threat will be rising Wednesday, with a chance for some of the storms later in the day to be strong to severe. A Weather Alert Day has been issued for today for the threat.

A potent area of low pressure moving across the Great Lakes will drag a cold front across West Michigan Wednesday evening.

Along and just ahead of the front, showers and thunderstorms are likely, and some of the storms may be strong to severe.

From the Storm Prediction Center, much of West Michigan is under an “enhanced risk” (level 3 of 5) for severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening. Areas that are not at enhanced risk for severe storms are at “slight risk” (level 2 of 5).

The most likely time for the strongest storms to be moving through the area will be from 2-9 p.m. Wednesday.

The main threat is straight-line damaging winds, but the environment will also be conducive for a few tornadoes to form, and there could be some occasional large hail. Pockets of heavy rain are likely as well, though due to the storms moving in and out of the area rapidly, any flash flooding of streets and low-lying areas shouldn’t last long.

A few showers and thunderstorms are possible Wednesday morning. Those storms are not expected to be severe but could have heavy rain.

If the morning rain and clouds stick around long enough, that may help to limit how strong storms can get in the afternoon, but forecast models suggest by late morning, much of the area will see sunshine, adding heat to the atmosphere that will be used to help fuel big storms later in the day.

Stay with the News Channel 3 team of meteorologists for the latest.