Alert archive / Michigan / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 22, NWS Grand Rapids, MI

September 3, 2026Gratiot County, Michigan

NWS Grand Rapids, MI issued this tornado warning at Sep 3, 2026, 1:47 PM EDT for Gratiot County, Michigan. It was in force for 12 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 3, 2026, 1:47 PM EDT (17:47 UTC)
Expired
Sep 3, 2026, 1:59 PM EDT
In force
12 min
Issued by
NWS Grand Rapids, MI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

County Gratiot County, MI

The radar

The Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:47 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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

Detroit, MI (KDTX), launched 12:00Z, 5.8 hours before the alert went out and 113 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, Detroit, MI at 12:00Z on 2026-09-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1125 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Detroit, MI at 12:00Z on 2026-09-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 71 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1125 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-108 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1071 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
71 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
76 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
3.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

119 
WFUS53 KGRR 031747
TORGRR
MIC057-031815-
/O.NEW.KGRR.TO.W.0022.260903T1747Z-260903T1815Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
147 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Gratiot County in central Michigan...

* Until 215 PM EDT.

* At 147 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Breckenridge, or 10 miles northeast of Ithaca,
  moving southeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
  northeastern Gratiot County, including the following locations...
  Wheeler.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 4336 8462 4347 8452 4347 8437 4322 8437
TIME...MOT...LOC 1747Z 309DEG 39KT 4337 8443 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

THOMAS
1 follow-up statement
483 
WWUS53 KGRR 031759
SVSGRR

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
159 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

MIC057-031808-
/O.CAN.KGRR.TO.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260903T1815Z/
Gratiot MI-
159 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN GRATIOT COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for
central Michigan.


&&

LAT...LON 4336 8462 4347 8452 4347 8437 4322 8437
TIME...MOT...LOC 1756Z 309DEG 39KT 4329 8430 

$$

TJT

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Sep 3, 10:53 AM EDT, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • SPC Slight Risk for severe weather over much of the area today
  • Thunderstorm chances may linger into Friday
  • Dry weather expected over the weekend
Area forecast discussion, Sep 3, 10:53 AM EDT, 2 hours 54 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1053 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- SPC Slight Risk for severe weather over much of the area today

- Thunderstorm chances may linger into Friday

- Dry weather expected over the weekend

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1052 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

A fairly active midday into afternoon period is likely with
additional thunderstorms developing across Wisconsin and
central/northern Lake Michigan, moving east per the 850-300mb
mean flow. An MCV is noted southeast of Madison. SPC mesoanalysis
indicates morning CIN should erode especially away from the
lakeshore region around 16z or so, with SBCAPE values of 2000-3000
J/kg and DCAPE values around 1000 J/kg ahead of both the MCV and
developing convection near Green Bay. Either one of these areas
may get better organized after moving past the lake in the 16z-18z
time frame. 12z CAM max convective gusts indicate a signal for
potential 60+ mph gusts especially from 18z onward east of US
131. Given substantial instability and also the present SPC large
hail parameters overhead, quarter size hail or larger is also
possible.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 400 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

- SPC Slight Risk for severe weather over much of the area today

The pattern continues to support the threat of thunderstorms over
the next 24 hours, including both today and tonight. At the
surface we have essentially a stationary boundary stretching from
east/west near the I-96 corridor. Dew points to the north are in
the 60s and are in the 70s to the south. MUCAPE values are
stratified correspondingly with 2,000 j/kg in place to the south
and 500-1,000 to the north. The upper flow pattern will likely
bring in convectively induced vorticity maxima from the west today
(the IA/MN convection). Tonight models suggest a NW to SE moving
shortwave that may bring additional storms to the area. The best
LLJ orientation and magnitude occur early this morning through
sunrise and again tonight coming up. Confidence in the evolution
remains on the lower side today/tonight, but we do feel we will
likely see additional storms this morning, additional chances this
afternoon, followed by more storms tonight. Wind appears to be the
main threat per machine learning data like NadoCast which is
supported by the SPC outlooks. Early afternoon soundings via the
HRRR in Ottawa County are indicating 1,100 j/kg of DCAPE which
shows the potential for damaging winds.

PWAT values continue to be high both today and tonight with 2.0
values both forecast periods. Storms have the potential to be
moving quickly, but rainfall rates will likely be high given deep
summer values of PWAT. If storms can train over certain areas or
if motion is slower than anticipated hydro concerns will increase
(localized short term flooding).

- Thunderstorm chances may linger into Friday

Models indicate the potential for some storms lingering into
Friday morning in a northwest flow aloft just downstream of the
plains upper ridge. SPC has a marginal threat for severe weather
in our far southwest which makes sense given the moisture will be
pooled in this area as the front likely sags to the southwest.

- Dry weather expected over the weekend

The patterns looks to try and dry out this weekend as high
pressure builds in from the north and northeast. BUFKIT moisture
overviews this weekend are starkly drier than what we have seen
all this week.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 711 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

Scattered thunderstorms have developed this morning near a
stationary front that is located over Lower Michigan. This
scattered activity will likely continue for the next few hours.
Additional storms will likely move in midday and during the
afternoon. These storms will likely be associated with the
activity that is moving eastward out of MN/IA. VFR weather is
expected for the most part outside of the thunderstorm activity.
We are seeing some light fog this morning, but it will lift by
14z.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 400 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

The surface pattern remains fairly benign the next few days with
lighter synoptic scale winds expected. Winds should remain at or
below the 5-15 knot range which will result in waves of 2 feet or
less through Saturday. No advisory level wave events are expected.

The one item to keep an eye on though is the threat of
thunderstorms and stronger winds associated with them. We will be
in a pattern conducive for storms and wind today. Winds and waves
can obviously be higher in and near thunderstorms and mariners
will need to remain alert to this threat.

&&

.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

UPDATE...Hoving
DISCUSSION...Duke
AVIATION...Duke
MARINE...Duke

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 3, 9:20 AM EDT, 4 hours 27 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
920 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

MIZ058-059-066-067-074-031415-
Clinton MI-Ingham MI-Ionia MI-Eaton MI-Jackson MI-
920 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Jackson, Ingham,
southeastern Ionia, southern Clinton and Eaton Counties through 1015
AM EDT...

At 920 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 5 miles west of Grand Ledge to 8 miles
northeast of Albion. Movement was east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lansing...             Jackson...             Charlotte...
Mason...               Eaton Rapids...        Portland...
East Lansing...        Grand Ledge...         Williamston...
Potterville...         Leslie...              Stockbridge...
Grass Lake...          Edgemont Park...       Vandercook Lake...
DeWitt...              Capital Region Inter...Leoni...
Spring Arbor...        Napoleon...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4217 8471 4242 8472 4242 8486 4286 8502
      4287 8437 4278 8436 4278 8416 4242 8413
      4213 8414
TIME...MOT...LOC 1320Z 280DEG 36KT 4276 8485 4235 8467

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

NJJ
Local storm report, Sep 3, 9:29 AM EDT, 4 hours 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
929 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

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

0912 AM     Hail             2 W Springport          42.38N 84.75W
09/03/2026  E0.88 Inch       Calhoun            MI   Trained Spotter

            Small 1-2 inch branches also down. Time
            estimated from radar.

&&

TJT
Special weather statement, Sep 3, 10:40 AM EDT, 3 hours 7 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1040 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

MIZ067-031515-
Ingham MI-
1040 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Ingham
County through 1115 AM EDT...

At 1039 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Perry to near Williamston to near Mason.
Movement was east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Williamston...         Webberville...         Bell Oak...
Okemos...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 4256 8414 4266 8447 4278 8430 4278 8416
TIME...MOT...LOC 1439Z 288DEG 34KT 4276 8420 4265 8421 4265 8446

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

THOMAS
Special weather statement, Sep 3, 11:19 AM EDT, 2 hours 28 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1119 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

MIZ037>039-031615-
Osceola MI-Lake MI-Mason MI-
1119 AM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Lake, Osceola and
northern Mason Counties through 1215 PM EDT...

At 1119 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Brethren to near Reed City. Movement was
east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Evart...               Reed City...           Marion...
Luther...              Fountain...            Free Soil...
Highland...            Chase...               Hersey...
Le Roy...              Tustin...              Nirvana...
Wolf Lake...           Big Lake...            Ashton...
Sears...               Irons...               Sunrise Lake...
Bristol...             Sauble Lakes...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4416 8598 4417 8509 4381 8509 4387 8559
      4409 8647 4418 8639
TIME...MOT...LOC 1519Z 287DEG 45KT 4432 8608 4392 8549

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

THOMAS
Special weather statement, Sep 3, 12:37 PM EDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1237 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

MIZ039-040-045-046-031730-
Isabella MI-Osceola MI-Mecosta MI-Clare MI-
1237 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Isabella,
southern Clare, southeastern Osceola and northeastern Mecosta
Counties through 130 PM EDT...

At 1237 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Evart, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Clare...               Farwell...             Sears...
Five Lakes...          Big Lake...            Eight Point Lake...
Doc and Tom Lake...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4375 8469 4380 8522 4390 8522 4397 8470
TIME...MOT...LOC 1637Z 266DEG 21KT 4385 8512

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

THOMAS
Special weather statement, Sep 3, 1:04 PM EDT, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
104 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

MIZ046-031745-
Isabella MI-
104 PM EDT Thu Sep 3 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Isabella County
through 145 PM EDT...

At 104 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lake Isabella, or 6 miles northwest of Mount Pleasant, moving east at
30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Mount Pleasant...      Shepherd...            Rosebush...
Lake Isabella...       Delwin...              Beal City...
Winn...                Mount Pleasant Munic...Blanchard...
Weidman...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4346 8492 4347 8508 4375 8509 4372 8461
      4347 8461
TIME...MOT...LOC 1704Z 277DEG 27KT 4364 8489

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

THOMAS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 2, 10:23 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGRRIngham15 min
Sep 3, 2:01 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRIngham44 min
Sep 3, 7:34 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRKalamazoo56 min
Sep 3, 7:38 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRBarry67 min
Sep 3, 7:52 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRMecosta53 min
Sep 3, 8:29 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRBarry, Eaton61 min
Sep 3, 8:32 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGRRBarry, Eaton38 min
Sep 3, 9:20 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRREaton, Ingham, Jackson55 min
Sep 3, 9:35 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGRRClinton, Eaton, Ingham43 min
Sep 3, 10:40 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRIngham35 min
Sep 3, 11:19 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRLake, Osceola56 min
Sep 3, 11:54 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGRRLake, Mason, Osceola6 hr
Sep 3, 12:37 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRClare53 min
Sep 3, 1:04 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRIsabella41 min
Sep 3, 1:31 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGRRGratiot, Isabella44 min
Sep 3, 2:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGRRClinton, Gratiot46 min
Sep 3, 2:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGRRCalhoun, Jackson22 min
Sep 3, 2:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatGRRClinton, Eaton, Ingham44 min
Sep 3, 3:06 PM EDTTornado WarningGRRIngham8 min
Sep 3, 3:14 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGRRJackson46 min
Sep 3, 3:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningGRRCalhoun, Jackson19 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Michigan, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.