Alert archive / Michigan / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 22, NWS Gaylord, MI

May 17, 20264 counties in Michigan

NWS Gaylord, MI issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 17, 2026, 7:11 PM EDT for 4 counties in Michigan. It was in force for 49 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 17, 2026, 7:11 PM EDT (23:11 UTC)
Expired
May 17, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
49 min
Issued by
NWS Gaylord, MI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Benzie County, MI, Grand Traverse County, MI, Manistee County, MI, Wexford County, MI

The radar

The NCL Michigan radar (KAPX), 89 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:14 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 17, 7:30 PM EDTTSTM WND DMGMesick, MIOne tree downed across a road. A number of smaller limbs and branches downed. Social media report.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this severe thunderstorm warning; the first came 19 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Alpena, MI (KAPX), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 269 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Alpena, MI at 12:00Z on 2026-05-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Alpena, MI at 12:00Z on 2026-05-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 59 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2129 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
139 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

181 
WUUS53 KAPX 172311
SVRAPX
MIC019-055-101-165-180000-
/O.NEW.KAPX.SV.W.0022.260517T2311Z-260518T0000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
711 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

The National Weather Service in Gaylord has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Benzie County in northern Michigan...
  Northwestern Wexford County in northern Michigan...
  Southwestern Grand Traverse County in northern Michigan...
  Northeastern Manistee County in northern Michigan...

* Until 800 PM EDT.

* At 710 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Thompsonville to near Copemish to near Kaleva,
  moving northeast at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Severe thunderstorms will be near...
  Thompsonville, Copemish, and Bendon around 715 PM EDT.
  Mesick, Interlochen State Park, and Karlin around 720 PM EDT.
  Sherman, Buckley, and Interlochen around 725 PM EDT.
  Grawn and Hannah around 730 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by these severe thunderstorms include
Wallin.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4473 8567 4459 8557 4444 8546 4434 8597
      4455 8607
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 243DEG 31KT 4458 8601 4445 8594 4435 8594 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

JLD
3 follow-up statements
430 
WWUS53 KAPX 172329
SVSAPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
729 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

MIC101-172339-
/O.CAN.KAPX.SV.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260518T0000Z/
Manistee MI-
729 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN MANISTEE COUNTY
IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 4473 8567 4444 8547 4437 8581 4447 8581
      4463 8589
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 246DEG 37KT 4463 8580 4450 8573 4440 8573 

$$

MIC019-055-165-180000-
/O.CON.KAPX.SV.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260518T0000Z/
Benzie MI-Wexford MI-Grand Traverse MI-
729 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN BENZIE...NORTHWESTERN WEXFORD AND SOUTHWESTERN GRAND
TRAVERSE COUNTIES...

At 729 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Interlochen State Park to near Buckley to Mesick,
moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

These severe storms will be near...
  Buckley, Grawn, Hannah, and Interlochen around 735 PM EDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4473 8567 4444 8547 4437 8581 4447 8581
      4463 8589
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 246DEG 37KT 4463 8580 4450 8573 4440 8573 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

JLD
285 
WWUS53 KAPX 172342
SVSAPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
742 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

MIC019-172351-
/O.CAN.KAPX.SV.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260518T0000Z/
Benzie MI-
742 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BENZIE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of
the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

&&

LAT...LON 4473 8567 4444 8547 4439 8573 4449 8575
      4468 8579
TIME...MOT...LOC 2341Z 243DEG 31KT 4468 8567 4455 8560 4445 8560 

$$

MIC055-165-180000-
/O.CON.KAPX.SV.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260518T0000Z/
Wexford MI-Grand Traverse MI-
742 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN WEXFORD AND SOUTHWESTERN GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTIES...

At 741 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from Grawn to near Hannah to near Buckley, moving northeast
at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

These severe thunderstorms will remain over mainly rural areas of
northwestern Wexford and southwestern Grand Traverse Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4473 8567 4444 8547 4439 8573 4449 8575
      4468 8579
TIME...MOT...LOC 2341Z 243DEG 31KT 4468 8567 4455 8560 4445 8560 

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

JZ
941 
WWUS53 KAPX 172352
SVSAPX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
752 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

MIC055-165-180002-
/O.EXP.KAPX.SV.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260518T0000Z/
Wexford MI-Grand Traverse MI-
752 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN WEXFORD AND
SOUTHWESTERN GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 800 PM EDT...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe
limits, and have exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire.  However, brief gusty winds and heavy rain are
still possible with these thunderstorms.

&&

LAT...LON 4473 8567 4444 8547 4439 8573 4449 8575
      4468 8579
TIME...MOT...LOC 2352Z 243DEG 31KT 4468 8567 4455 8560 4445 8560 

$$

JZ

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 Gaylord, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 17, 2:03 PM EDT, 5 hours 8 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through Tuesday...a few of which could be strong to severe.
  • Mostly dry weather expected after Tuesday.
  • Above normal temperatures to kick off this week, with temperatures again cooling to below normal levels through the middle and end portions of the week. Frost/freeze concerns Wednesday night.
Area forecast discussion, May 17, 2:03 PM EDT, 5 hours 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
203 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through
Tuesday...a few of which could be strong to severe.

- Mostly dry weather expected after Tuesday.

- Above normal temperatures to kick off this week, with
  temperatures again cooling to below normal levels through the
  middle and end portions of the week. Frost/freeze concerns
  Wednesday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 202 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

Large scale NOAM upper level amplification well underway early this
afternoon...driven in large part by strong shortwave trough and 120+
knot upper jet core digging rapidly southeast into the Intermountain
West. Secondary anti-cyclonic 120+ knot upper jet streak rotating
east across northern Ontario also helping this amplification
process...driving steadily increasing heights across the eastern
Conus and Great Lakes. Strong moist/warm advection between these
features rotating up through the central and northern Plains...with
maturing surface boundary, weak low pressure, and MCV from overnight
convection all helping ignite showers and storms within this
increasing warm and moist axis. Southern lower Michigan stationary
front showing signs of beginning its northward journey as a warm
front as this return flow strengthens, with subsequent burgeoning
isentropic upglide and moisture convergence (enhanced by MCV
rotating northeast across southern Wisconsin) helping drive an area
of showers and embedded thunderstorms into the western Great Lakes
...including now parts of our western footprint.

Per the northern Michigan warm season convective usual, plenty
(emphasizing "plenty") of uncertainty in just how things unfold the
next several days...with much of that uncertainty tied to how
upstream convective trends unfold. Does appear their will be
multiple opportunities to see some showers and storms across the
Northwoods...first with current northward bowing warm
front/approaching MCV...followed by sustained deep moisture
advection and eventually cold frontal passage on Tuesday.

Primary Forecast Concerns:

Shower/storm evolution and severe potential through Tuesday.

Details:

Overall, a rather low confidence forecast through Tuesday. With that
said, expect shower and thunderstorm threat to expand north with
time the remainder of this afternoon and evening as moist advection
increases north of northward bowing warm front and approaching MCV.
Confidence remains low on overall deeper convective coverage, but
definitely could see some locally heavier rain amounts with some
hints of convective training along convectively congealed cold
pools. Again, not entirely sure where (if) that sustained
convergence will reside, but something to monitor with potential of
one inch plus rain totals by sunrise Monday. Cannot rule out an
isolated severe storm or two as well given northward expansion of
enhanced mid level lapse rate plume/attendant core of elevated
instability and respectable wind shear through the convective
layer...with the latter enhanced by that approaching warm front.
Main concern would be some marginally severe size hail, although
cannot completely rule out an isolated wind threat or tornado,
especially near and south of the warm front where surface based
instability will reside.

Uncertainty remains high heading into Monday as well. Not overly
confident on just how aggressive the northward push to the warm
sector will be given potential for those overnight cold pools to
slow its northward progress. Could see showers and storms continue
to percolate along and to the north of this front, with additional
afternoon shower/storm development within the warm sector as
aggressive surface heating overcomes intial capping layer aloft.
Could also see upstream dying convection make a run into the area
(which could act to offset that aggressive heating and additional
convective development). Definitely more questions than answers.
Latest Storm Prediction Center Convective Outlook continues to place
all areas south of the Mighty Mac in slight risk wording for severe
storms...with all facets of severe attributes possible (to include 2
probs for tornadoes down near Saginaw Bay). Can definitely see this
concern given the possibility for aggressive afternoon
warming/attendant development of surface rooted instability within a
still very favorable kinematic environment. Will simply have to see
how things evolve tonight into tomorrow morning for better severe
weather assessment Monday afternoon.

And...those convective uncertainties continue right into Monday
night and Tuesday. Little doubt we will see additional rounds of
shower and thunderstorms through this period with sustained deep
moisture advection and eventually passage of the cold front on
Tuesday, though exact timing/coverage/and intensity of those storms
are far from certain. SPC continues to place the southeast half of
our area under slight risk severe wording on Tuesday...with that
risk tied to just how aggressive surface warming can become prior to
frontal passage. Again, best course of action is to simply continue
to monitor trends as we head through this period.

Cold frontal passage later Tuesday is a rather strong one, with
rather aggressive drying and cold air advection kicking in Tuesday
night into Wednesday...with highs on Wednesday likely not getting
out of the 40s for at least parts of our area. Could very likely be
looking at another night of frost/freeze concerns Wednesday night as
high pressure looks to settle directly overhead. Pretty remarkable
to already see the guidance consensus blend put low temperatures
Wednesday night down into the lower and middle 30s (especially
considering this blend is at least partially weighted toward normal
values...which will be in the lower and middle 40s for Wednesday's
date). Temperatures gradually moderate Thursday into the weekend
under mostly quiet conditions.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 154 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

VFR conditions to start, then CIGs decrease with scattered showers
and thunderstorms later this afternoon and into the overnight hours.
Expect MVFR and IFR possible within the most persistent rains. East
winds continue as well, generally 5 to 15KTs, outside of any
thunderstorms across KMBL which may produce gusty winds. Lower CIGs
slowly lift northward through the night with KTVC and KMBL back to
VFR after 06Z. Another round of showers and storms will be possible
on Monday, favoring the afternoon and evening, although there is
uncertainty in coverage during the morning hours. Low level wind
shear is expected as well, with 30 to 40KTs possible ~06 to 14Z.

&&

.APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT
     Monday for LMZ323-342-344>346.
     Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Monday
     for LMZ341.
     Small Craft Advisory from 11 PM this evening to noon EDT
     Monday for LSZ321-322.

&&

DISCUSSION...MSB
AVIATION...JLD
Hazardous weather outlook, May 17, 2:44 PM EDT, 4 hours 27 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
244 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

MIZ016>018-020>036-041-042-086>088-095>099-182200-
Emmet-Cheboygan-Presque Isle-Leelanau-Antrim-Otsego-Montmorency-
Alpena-Benzie-Grand Traverse-Kalkaska-Crawford-Oscoda-Alcona-
Manistee-Wexford-Missaukee-Roscommon-Ogemaw-Iosco-Gladwin-Arenac-
Western Chippewa-Central Chippewa-Southeast Chippewa-
Western Mackinac-Eastern Mackinac-
Mackinac Island/Bois Blanc Island-
Beaver Island and surrounding islands-Charlevoix-
244 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for Eastern Upper Michigan and
Northern Lower Michigan.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and tonight.
While most of these storms will remain sub-severe, a few storms
capable of producing marginally severe size hail and gusty winds
are possible. There is a very small chance for tornadoes as well
later this afternoon and early evening, especially along and south
of M-55.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Thunderstorms will be possible at times through Tuesday. A few of
these storms may reach severe limits.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to report any significant weather and
rainfall amounts to the National Weather Service. Reports may be
made one of three ways:

Online:   weather.gov/gaylord
Facebook: facebook.com/nwsgaylord
Twitter:  twitter.com/nwsgaylord

For more information visit http://weather.gov/gaylord.

LHZ345>349-LMZ323-341-342-344>346-LSZ321-322-182200-
Straits of Mackinac within 5 nm of Mackinac Bridge including
Mackinac Island-St Ignace to False Detour Channel-
5NM East of Mackinac Bridge to Presque Isle Light MI including
Bois Blanc Island-
Presque Isle Light to Sturgeon Pt MI Including Thunder Bay
National Marine Sanctuary-Sturgeon Pt to Alabaster MI-
Grand Traverse Bay south of a line Grand Traverse Light to
Norwood MI-Seul Choix Point to 5NM West of Mackinac Bridge-
Norwood MI to 5NM West of Mackinac Bridge including Little
Traverse Bay-Sleeping Bear Point to Grand Traverse Light MI-
Point Betsie to Sleeping Bear Point MI-
Manistee to Point Betsie MI-
Whitefish Bay (U.S. Portion)/Whitefish Point to Point Iroquois MI-
St. Marys River Point Iroquois to E. Potagannissing Bay-
244 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

This hazardous weather outlook is for the northern Michigan
nearshore waters of Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and tonight.
While most of these storms will remain sub-severe, a few storms
capable of producing marginally severe size hail and gusty winds
are possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Thunderstorms will be possible at times through Tuesday. A few of
these storms may reach severe limits.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

For more information visit http://weather.gov/gaylord.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 17, 6:56 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
656 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0645 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 WSW Onekama           44.35N 86.27W
05/17/2026  M44 MPH          Manistee           MI   Mesonet

            Mesonet station EW5499 Onekama.

&&

JZ
Local storm report, May 17, 7:06 PM EDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
706 PM EDT Sun May 17 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0657 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 SW Frankfort          44.63N 86.25W
05/17/2026  M43 MPH          LMZ346             MI   Mesonet

            Mesonet station XFLT Frankfort Light.

&&

JZ

The office that day

Everything else NWS Gaylord, MI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 17, 4:51 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryAPX3 days
May 17, 5:20 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAPX85 min
May 17, 6:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningAPXBenzie, Manistee58 min
May 17, 6:43 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningAPX17 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Michigan, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.