Be Prepared for a Stormy Afternoon in West Michigan on Monday

We may be starting off our week with some stormy weather on Monday afternoon.

The Storm Prediction Center has increased portions of southwest lower Michigan up to a "Enhanced" level for potential storms.

The forecast from the National Weather Service says:

Scattered severe thunderstorms should develop Monday across parts of the northern Plains, and from portions of the Midwest into the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes all appear possible. Some of the winds could be significantly severe (75+ mph) across parts of the Midwest/Ohio Valley Monday afternoon/evening.

Straight-Line Wind Gusts

Included in this severe weather could be straight-line wind gusts which come in the first 10 minutes of a thunderstorm. These winds could be 75 mph or stronger.

Hail

Large hail could also be possible in the same area as the storms.

Could There be a Tornado?

This severe weather could also include the potential for a tornado. The National Weather Service has included a 5% chance of a tornado in the same area as the severe weather for late Monday afternoon.

What Time Will the Storms Arrive in West Michigan?

The forecast is for the storms to develop this afternoon in Wisconsin and race across Lake Michigan into southwest Lower Michigan. The storms are expected to be in the area between 4 and 7 pm this evening. The cities at the highest risk for severe weather include not only Grand Rapids, but Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Lansing. There is also a chance of storms north of Grand Rapids, but these are not expected to be as strong.

A Hot Week to Follow the Storms

After the storms move out of the area later tonight, the hot weather makes it way into West Michigan.

The graphic above from the National Weather Service shows the current advisories with a large portion of the midwest under a Heat Advisory for Monday. Some areas (the purple and darker brown colors) have Excessive Heat Advisories and Warnings. That weather moves into the West Michigan area on Tuesday. High temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday should be in the mid 90s with heat index values over 100 degrees.