DETROIT – Metro Detroit is facing a risk of severe storms on Thursday that could bring strong winds, hail, and even tornadoes.
---> A warmer Wednesday across Metro Detroit before severe weather threat arrives Thursday
The highest risk currently stretches roughly between I-696 and I-96, south to the state line, classified as Level 2 of 5 (Slight). A Level 1 (Marginal) risk extends northward toward I-69.
There’s a potential for very large, damaging hail. It would be ideal to park your vehicle inside if you can.
Forecasts indicate hail could reach sizes comparable to golf balls or even tennis balls, though large hail is not guaranteed.
There’s also a risk for very damaging tornadoes, so have a tornado plan in place for your family at work, school, and home.
There’s also a risk for damaging tornadoes, so have a tornado plan in place for your family at work, school, and home.
Everything is on the table Thursday.
There’s a very low-end threat for flash flooding. It’s a lower-end threat because we’ll have some isolated downpours, but we don’t anticipate enough rain to raise a significant flash-flooding concern.
What we are most worried about is the possibility of damaging winds, though hail and tornadoes pose a more significant threat.
Tornado chances are higher in southern communities, but much of the area could see an isolated strong tornado rated EF-2 or greater.
An EF-2 tornado would produce winds of at least 111 mph and could cause significant damage, including torn-off roofs, destroyed mobile homes, and snapped large trees.
Timeline:
- We’ll start to see some showers or a storm or two around 4–5 p.m. Thursday.
- 7 p.m. and onward is the primary window for strong storms.
- By 9–10 p.m., most storms will have moved out of the area.
- Then, temperatures will drop sharply overnight, with highs on Friday only around 40 degrees.
---> Severe weather timeline: Most likely window for strong storms Thursday in Metro Detroit