Alert archive / Michigan / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2024
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 20, NWS Grand Rapids, MI
NWS Grand Rapids, MI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 7, 2024, 7:05 PM EDT for Kalamazoo County, Van Buren County, Michigan. It was in force for 55 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 7, 2024, 7:05 PM EDT (23:05 UTC)
- Expired
- May 7, 2024, 8:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 55 min
- Issued by
- NWS Grand Rapids, MI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Possible
- Hail
- 1.0 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
Counties Kalamazoo County, MI, Van Buren County, MI
The radar
The Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 76 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:07 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2:28 PM EDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 12 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Detroit, MI (KDTX), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 210 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1533 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 106 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 79 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Grand Rapids, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 7, 3:19 PM EDT, 3 hours 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Stormy this evening, chance of rain Wednesday night
- Rain Expected Thursday and Saturday
Area forecast discussion, May 7, 3:19 PM EDT, 3 hours 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 319 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Stormy this evening, chance of rain Wednesday night - Rain Expected Thursday and Saturday && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 318 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024 - Stormy this evening, chance of rain Wednesday night The forecast is progressing as expected and severe storms are a distinct possibility the rest of this afternoon and evening. Radar shows the initial push of showers/non-severe storms has migrated to the eastern cwa and clearing is rapidly filling in behind it across the southwest cwa. Destabilization is rapidly occuring and as a strong short wave moves closer, severe storms have developed over northeast IL and are moving northeast toward Lower MI. SPC mesoanalysis shows SBCAPE around 2500 j/kg and bulk shear greater than 60 kts across northeast IL. Severe storms will continue to develop to the southwest through early evening and move into the cwa and all severe hazard types are possible: hail, wind, tornadoes. Areas south of I-96 have the highest risk for severe storms, but all of the cwa has a chance. The severe threat will end after 10 pm as the short wave axis rotates north out of the cwa. Wednesday will be dry with weak ridging moving into the cwa. However, it will be short lived as the rest of the upper trough pivots through the state beginning Wednesday night. Highs will be in the 70s Wednesday and lows in the 40s Wednesday night. - Rain Expected Thursday and Saturday Rainfall begins early Thursday morning and continues into the day Thursday as a low-pressure system tracking through the Ohio Valley, aided by a mid-level wave, sends a band of deformation rainfall across the area. Highest rain potential will be across southwest lower Michigan closer to the low's track with better FGEN. Rain chances are lower across Central Region as its further away from the better forcing. Can't rule out a bit of thunder given 6-7C mid-level lapse rates but chances are low and would mainly be limited to near and south of I94 if at all. Shortwave ridging and an area of high pressure keep Friday dry across the area. Highs will warm into the low 60s. Our next chance of rain is Saturday as a shortwave sends a surface low near Lake Michigan. Could see some diurnal enhancement to shower activity as the upper-level cold pool moves overhead with steeper mid-level lapse rates supporting thunder chances. Best rain chances will be across the southwest half of the CWA between the low track and placement of the upper-level cold pool. Predictability then decreases going into the start of next week as model spread in the upper-level pattern increases. Showers may continue into the start of next week but low confidence in when they will end. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 118 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024 Line of showers with a few embedded thunderstorms will be just clearing the terminals near 18z. Additional thunderstorm development is likely with this afternoon and evening, especially near and south of GRR. Thunderstorms bring the potential of locally IFR conditions and gusty winds and hail. Have added VCTS along with a TEMPO group for the highest confidence window. A few hours of MVFR cigs is possible post showers and storms near I96 before skies become MVFR with the exception of MKG who should keep MVFR until tomorrow morning. Southeast winds become southwest tonight into tomorrow generally 7-12 knots and locally higher in TSRA. && .MARINE... Issued at 318 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024 The main threat for boaters tonight are severe storms with large hail and strong winds. Additionally, as dewpoints climb into the lower 60s areas of fog will develop. Wednesday looks less chaotic as the fog will dissipate and storms are not expected. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None. && DISCUSSION...04/Thomas AVIATION...Thomas MARINE...04
Hazardous weather outlook, May 7, 4:16 AM EDT, 14 hours 49 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 416 AM EDT Tue May 7 2024 MIZ037>040-043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074-080800- Mason-Lake-Osceola-Clare-Oceana-Newaygo-Mecosta-Isabella-Muskegon- Montcalm-Gratiot-Ottawa-Kent-Ionia-Clinton-Allegan-Barry-Eaton- Ingham-Van Buren-Kalamazoo-Calhoun-Jackson- 416 AM EDT Tue May 7 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are likely this afternoon through evening. While lightning is a hazard in any thunderstorm, some storms may be locally severe, with damaging wind gusts, large hail, or a brief tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed today, most likely between 4 PM and 10 PM. LMZ844>849-080800- St Joseph to South Haven MI-South Haven to Holland MI- Holland to Grand Haven MI-Grand Haven to Whitehall MI- Whitehall to Pentwater MI-Pentwater to Manistee MI- 416 AM EDT Tue May 7 2024 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are likely this afternoon through evening. While lightning is a hazard in any thunderstorm, some storms may be locally severe, with briefly stronger wind gusts or large hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Winds and waves on Lake Michigan may be hazardous to small craft on Thursday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed today, most likely between 4 PM and 10 PM.
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 7, 6:17 PM EDT, 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
617 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0555 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 W Portage 42.19N 85.67W
05/07/2024 Kalamazoo MI NWS Employee
Large trees down, power lines down, shingles
scattered around. Possible tornado. Time
estimated based on radar.
&&
NJJLocal storm report, May 7, 6:25 PM EDT, 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
625 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0606 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Portage 42.22N 85.57W
05/07/2024 Kalamazoo MI Trained Spotter
Estimated 3 foot diameter trees down.
Estimated time via radar.
&&
NJJLocal storm report, May 7, 6:29 PM EDT, 36 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
629 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0623 PM Hail 4 WNW Montague 43.44N 86.44W
05/07/2024 E0.88 Inch Muskegon MI Trained Spotter
&&
NJJLocal storm report, May 7, 6:39 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
639 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0606 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Portage 42.22N 85.56W
05/07/2024 Kalamazoo MI Trained Spotter
Fed Ex building damaged. Possible tornado.
&&
NJJLocal storm report, May 7, 6:44 PM EDT, 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
644 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0605 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Portage 42.22N 85.57W
05/07/2024 Kalamazoo MI Trained Spotter
*** 1 INJ ***
A lady taking cover from possible tornado
was hit by debris as she got out of her car.
Her leg is broken.
&&
NJJLocal storm report, May 7, 6:55 PM EDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
655 PM EDT Tue May 7 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0542 PM Hail 6 ESE Decatur 42.07N 85.86W
05/07/2024 E0.75 Inch Van Buren MI Trained Spotter
Time estimated from radar.
&&
NJJThe office that day
Everything else NWS Grand Rapids, MI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 11:15 AM EDT | Special Marine Warning | GRR | 104 min | |
| May 7, 11:22 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GRR | Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon and 2 more | 83 min |
| May 7, 4:17 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | GRR | 88 min | |
| May 7, 4:46 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Allegan, Van Buren | 89 min |
| May 7, 5:14 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Van Buren | 31 min |
| May 7, 5:17 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | GRR | 88 min | |
| May 7, 5:38 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Kalamazoo, Van Buren | 50 min |
| May 7, 5:55 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Calhoun | 95 min |
| May 7, 6:05 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Kalamazoo | 39 min |
| May 7, 6:11 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Muskegon, Oceana | 45 min |
| May 7, 6:13 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Calhoun | 62 min |
| May 7, 6:42 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Jackson | 93 min |
| May 7, 7:20 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Kalamazoo | 26 min |
| May 7, 7:26 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Calhoun | 82 min |
| May 7, 7:35 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Calhoun | 25 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Michigan, 2024Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2024
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.