DETROIT – A two-round severe weather threat is headed to Metro Detroit, beginning late Monday night and continuing into Tuesday afternoon and evening, bringing the possibility of an isolated tornado.
---> Storm chances return to Metro Detroit, some could be strong to severe through Tuesday
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After a pleasant start to the work week, conditions will deteriorate quickly. A southerly flow will drive temperatures well above average, with highs climbing into the lower 70s by Tuesday afternoon -- but that warmth comes at a cost.
Round 1: Late Monday night
The first round of storms will arrive late Monday night, March 30. Expect a mix of sunshine and clouds to start Monday, with more clouds rolling in by the afternoon.
Winds from the south will drive temperatures into the 60s by late Monday afternoon before showers and thunderstorms push into the area after dark.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed the region under a Marginal Risk -- Level 1 out of 5 on the severe weather scale for Monday night.
Gusty winds will be the main threat with this first round of storms, with low temperatures falling to around 57 overnight.
Round 2: Tuesday -- the bigger threat
Showers and thunderstorms will continue into Tuesday, but the most significant severe weather threat arrives Tuesday afternoon and evening as a cold front moves through the region.
The Storm Prediction Center has elevated the risk to a Slight Risk -- Level 2 out of 5 for Tuesday.
Damaging winds above 60 mph and large hail will be the primary threats, but this round carries an additional concern: the possibility of an isolated tornado.
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Breezy conditions and above-average temperatures will also be a factor Tuesday, with highs climbing into the lower 73s -- well above what is typical for this time of year.
Why a tornado is possible Tuesday -- and when
The setup for Tuesday’s tornado threat comes down to one key ingredient: low-level wind shear.
As the cold front approaches, differences in wind speed and direction at the lower levels of the atmosphere are expected to increase -- creating the potential for rotation inside some storms.
Once we get to Tuesday afternoon and evening, there will be enough shear in the lowest few miles of the atmosphere that there might be enough ‘spin’ to have the chance of an isolated tornado.
While widespread tornado activity is not expected, the isolated threat is real enough that residents should be weather-aware and have a plan in place -- especially for Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Tuesday night into Wednesday: Storm threat lingers
Showers and thunderstorm chances will continue into Tuesday night before slowly tapering off.
Low temperatures will drop sharply to around 42 -- a significant cooldown from Tuesday’s high of 73.
The cold front’s passage will also bring a noticeable wind shift, with breezy conditions continuing into Wednesday.
Rain shower chances will last through Wednesday, with high temperatures cooling into the upper 40s.
The rest of the week: Rain chances continue
The active weather pattern does not end with the cold front.
A series of storm systems will keep rain chances in the forecast from Wednesday all the way through Friday, with high temperatures staying in the upper 40s to lower 50s through the middle of the week before warming into the upper 50s and lower 60s by Friday.
Click here for the latest forecast from our 4Warn Weather team.
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Tornado Safety Tips:
At Home:
- Go to the basement, under the stairs or under a heavy piece of furniture like a table or workbench.
- Get under heavy furniture, and cover your head with blankets or pillows. The biggest threat of death or injury comes from head injuries caused by flying or falling debris.
- Keep windows closed and stay away from them.
At School:
- Go to the lowest floor or basement.
- Get to interior rooms or hallways and protect your head.
- Stay out of gymnasiums and auditoriums.
- In Public Buildings
- Go to a designated shelter, an interior hallway or small room on the lowest floor.
- Stay away from windows.
- Do not go to your car.
Out in the Open Country or Fields:
- Move away from a tornado at right angles.
- If a tornado is near, DO NOT try to outrun it.
- Get out of your car, lie flat in a ditch or depression.
- Stay away from large trees or metal poles. Cover your head.
Mobile Homes:
- Leave your mobile home immediately.
- If there is no designated community shelter, take cover in a ditch or depression.
- Persons in mobile homes should have a plan of action before threatening weather occurs.