Severe weather is possible in Metro Detroit on Thursday, with large hail being one of the primary threats.
Showers are expected to begin developing between 4 and 5 p.m. Thursday, with stronger storms likely moving through the area around 7 p.m. Along with the risk of hail, tornadoes are also possible.
How large could the hail get?
In some areas, hail could reach the size of golf balls or even tennis balls.
While that’s not guaranteed, the atmospheric conditions are in place to support that potential.
Why is hail possible?
Hail forms when supercooled water droplets are carried upward into storm clouds, where they bounce up and down and become frozen.
The longer they stay in the cloud, the bigger they get, until the updraft weakens and they fall.
Where is hail expected?
Not everyone will see hail this large, as it’s expected to develop in scattered pockets across the region.
Some storms may produce significant hail, while others may not.
Compared to areas farther south, the primary threat locally is hail, while stronger wind risks are expected to be more concentrated in parts of Ohio.
If possible, it’s a good idea to park your car in a garage or under a carport on Thursday to help protect it from potential damage.
Thursday’s severe weather also brings the chance for tornadoes and flash flooding.
Full forecast --> Strong to severe storm chance in Metro Detroit -- breaking down tornado, large hail, flood risks