Alert archive / Michigan / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 9, NWS Grand Rapids, MI
NWS Grand Rapids, MI issued this tornado warning at Apr 14, 2026, 10:51 PM EDT for Kent County, Michigan. It was in force for 24 min. 3 reports 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
- Apr 14, 2026, 10:51 PM EDT (02:51 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 14, 2026, 11:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 24 min
- Issued by
- NWS Grand Rapids, MI
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
County Kent County, MI
The radar
The Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 10 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:53 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 10:57 PM EDT | TSTM WND GST 81 | 2 Ssw Cascade, MI | ASOS station KGRR Gerald R Ford Intl. |
| Apr 14, 10:58 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Nne Alaska, MI | A surge of thunderstorm winds occurred from the Grand Rapids airport southeast through the Whitneyville area, where a large tree fell on a house, doing extensive damage. Time estimated from radar and the Grand Rapids ASOS, where a peak wind gust of 81 mph was |
| Apr 14, 11:00 PM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | Alto, MI | Tree on house in the Alto area. Time and location approximate. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
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 watch it was issued in
The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 8:54 PM EDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Detroit, MI (KDTX), launched 00:00Z, 2.9 hours before the alert went out and 166 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
- 421 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -24 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1563 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 50 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 73 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 153 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.1
- Supercell composite
- 1.4
The text
As transmitted.
443
WFUS53 KGRR 150251
TORGRR
MIC081-150315-
/O.NEW.KGRR.TO.W.0009.260415T0251Z-260415T0315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1051 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Kent County in southwestern Michigan...
* Until 1115 PM EDT.
* At 1051 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located over Gerald R. Ford International Airport, or
10 miles southeast of Grand Rapids, moving east at 40 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
southeastern Kent County, including the following locations...
Alaska, Alto, and Cascade.
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 4278 8556 4294 8550 4294 8531 4277 8531
4277 8549
TIME...MOT...LOC 0251Z 279DEG 36KT 4288 8549
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
CAS2 follow-up statements
374
WWUS53 KGRR 150304
SVSGRR
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1104 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
MIC081-150315-
/O.CON.KGRR.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260415T0315Z/
Kent MI-
1104 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1115 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN KENT COUNTY...
At 1104 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Freeport, or 11 miles north of Hastings, moving
southeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of
southeastern Kent County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
&&
LAT...LON 4279 8545 4284 8540 4285 8531 4277 8531
4277 8544
TIME...MOT...LOC 0304Z 301DEG 31KT 4281 8536
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
NJJ852
WWUS53 KGRR 150310
SVSGRR
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1110 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
MIC081-150320-
/O.EXP.KGRR.TO.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260415T0315Z/
Kent MI-
1110 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN KENT COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT
1115 PM EDT...
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will
be allowed to expire. However, heavy rain is still possible with
this thunderstorm.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 400 AM EDT for south central
and southwestern Michigan.
LAT...LON 4279 8545 4284 8540 4285 8531 4277 8531
4277 8544
TIME...MOT...LOC 0310Z 279DEG 36KT 4280 8529
$$
NJJWhat 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 Apr 14, 7:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Risk for Severe Thunderstorms and Flooding Tonight
- Continued Thunderstorms Chances Wednesday
- Active Stretch of Weather Continues into Weekend
Area forecast discussion, Apr 14, 7:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 55 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
756 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Risk for Severe Thunderstorms and Flooding Tonight
- Continued Thunderstorms Chances Wednesday
- Active Stretch of Weather Continues into Weekend
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 250 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
- Risk for Severe Thunderstorms and Flooding Tonight
Severe thunderstorms with the risk of damaging winds, large hail,
tornadoes, and heavy rain expected largely between 7PM tonight to
4AM early Wednesday.
Significant clearing has occurred across the area allowing for
instability to build this afternoon. HREF is highlighting around
2000 J/kg of surface based cape largely along and south of I-96
with similar MUCAPE values extending further north. Upper level
divergence will be in play along with low level jet convergence as
it moves in between 7PM-10PM this evening. It is in this window
we expect storms to develop. Effective shear of around 40-50 knots
will aid in storms becoming more organized with 0-1km storm
relative helicity values of 200 m2/s2 largely along and south of
I-96 and mid level lapse rates around 7-8 C/km. With this setup
all hazards are in play. The highest risk for tornadoes will be
along and south of I-96 due the greater storm relative helicity
values and surface based CAPE. Storms may begin isolated before
congealing into a line that moves southeastward through the
state. Quick spin-up tornadoes and damaging winds will be
possible with the line.
Corfidi vectors may aid in some backbuilding behind storms this
evening which would increase the flooding potential. HREF highlights
local probability matched mean amounts of 2 to 4 inches in portions
of western, central, and southern Michigan. With these signals the
flood watch has been extended to the entire area.
- Continued Thunderstorms and Flooding Chances Wednesday
Conditional risk for severe thunderstorms Wednesday late Wednesday
afternoon into Wednesday night.
The low level jet should help sustain rain and thunderstorms into
Wednesday morning, especially for areas along and south of I-94. The
threat for severe thunderstorms later Wednesday will be directly
tied to if we are able to recover from the morning convection. If we
aren't able to recover enough, garden variety thunderstorms with
heavy rain are expected. If we are able to recover, damaging
winds and tornadoes will be possible. Mean HREF values currently
have surface based CAPE values improve to around 500 to 1000 J/kg.
Meanwhile minimum surface based CAPE values are 500 less than 500
J/kg and maximum values are 2000 J/kg or greater along and south
of I-96. This large spread points to the large uncertainty with
how tomorrow will play out.
However, with any rainfall, the flooding risk will continue due
to the already saturated conditions from the previous rounds of
rainfall. Check the HYDROLOGY section for more information.
- Active Stretch of Weather Continues into Weekend
An upper level low moves through the region Thursday, continuing
rain and thunderstorm chances into Thursday evening. Pressure
heights increase Thursday night into Friday, giving the area a
brief break in the rainfall. However, southwest flow returns
ahead of a deep trough, bringing rain and thunderstorm chances
back to the area Friday night into Saturday. There is a potential
for severe thunderstorms as well, which is outlined in the SPC day
5 outlook.
Colder air moves in behind the low Saturday with lows Saturday night
into Sunday dropping into the 30s. This could result in some snow
mixing in on the backside. Highs Sunday are only expected to be in
the 40s, and with breezy west to northwest winds, this will
probably keep wind chills in the upper 20s to 30s.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 756 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Clusters of thunderstorms are beginning to move over western Lake
Michigan at the beginning of this TAF period. Based on storm
motion, the likely time of arrival at the MKG site will be between
0130z-0200z. Thunderstorm wind gusts in excess of 40 kts are
likely with this activity, and depending on storm strength it is
possible that 50 kt gusts or greater could occur at MKG and GRR
with this intial activity. Clusters of storms will likely congeal
into a line that will likely sweep across all terminals in the
02z-06z time frame. Periodic wind shear of around 40-50 kts at
2000 ft is possible especially early in the period. A more
prolonged rain event could set up especially from AZO to BTL and
JXN after the initial line of storms moves through (post 05z-06z)
and trends will need to be monitored for potentially a few hours
of rain with embedded TSRA.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 250 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Wave heights will continue to fall below Small Craft Advisory
conditions this afternoon, therefore the Advisory has been
cancelled. Dense fog is slowly clearing as well. Will keep the dense
fog advisory for now, but it could be cancelled early if conditions
continue to improve.
Thunderstorms are expected tonight with the potential for damaging
winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Higher waves will also be
possible with any thunderstorm. Thunderstorms will gradually taper
off in the southern zones Wednesday morning, but there is a chance
they could linger through the day. Otherwise thunderstorm chances
return late Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 250 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
Bottom line: The most significant flood in recent years is likely
upcoming on the Muskegon River, with several locations expected to
pass Major flood stage.
Another 1-2 inches of rain fell last night, primarily in
upper/headwaters portions of the Muskegon River Watershed. This
joins the previous 2-5 inches of rain in the area that is all
finding its way toward the river. A significant and impactful flood
on the Muskegon River will be developing over the next few days,
with a crest expected in the Friday timeframe.
Meanwhile, additional rounds of heavy rain are expected to shift
south a bit starting today, with the Grand River basin the more
likely to be impacted. With 1-2" across a large area, and locally
3"+ bullseyes expected, we are expecting some localized flooding to
develop overnight tonight, especially if the thunderstorms track
over urban areas repeatedly. This will also eventually get the Grand
River water levels increasing again over the next few days.
Currently, this looks like we'll largely repeat the minor flooding
(on the Grand River and tributaries) that occurred in the last few
weeks. Further south, the Kalamazoo River has been a bit drier
lately, so no flooding is expected to develop there, though urban
and poor-drainage area flooding will definitely be possible over the
next day or two as the thunderstorms move through.
&&
.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Flood Watch through late Thursday night for MIZ037>040-043>046-
050>052.
Flood Watch through late Thursday night for MIZ056>059-064>067-
071>074.
MARINE...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...RAH
AVIATION...Hoving
MARINE...RAH
HYDROLOGY...AMDHazardous weather outlook, Apr 14, 2:53 PM EDT, 7 hours 58 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 253 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026 MIZ037>040-043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074-151900- Mason-Lake-Osceola-Clare-Oceana-Newaygo-Mecosta-Isabella-Muskegon- Montcalm-Gratiot-Ottawa-Kent-Ionia-Clinton-Allegan-Barry-Eaton- Ingham-Van Buren-Kalamazoo-Calhoun-Jackson- 253 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Thunderstorms are expected tonight with the potential for damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Have multiple ways to receive warnings tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday There is a marginal risk for severe storms Wednesday with lingering thunderstorm chances Thursday. There is a potential for severe thunderstorms Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed tonight. LMZ844>849-151900- 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- 253 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026 This hazardous weather outlook is for the nearshore waters from St Joseph to Manistee. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Dense fog north of Whitehall is possible. Thunderstorms are expected tonight with the potential for damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Have multiple ways to receive warnings tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday There is a marginal risk for severe storms Wednesday with lingering thunderstorm chances Thursday. There is a potential for severe thunderstorms Saturday. Small Craft Advisory conditions are possible this weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will be needed tonight.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Apr 14, 8:40 PM EDT, 2 hours 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
840 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
MIZ043-044-050-150115-
Oceana MI-Muskegon MI-Newaygo MI-
840 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central
Newaygo, northern Muskegon, and southeastern Oceana Counties through
915 PM EDT...
At 839 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Lakewood Club, or 14 miles north of Muskegon, moving northeast at 35
mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 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...
White Cloud... Fremont... Whitehall...
Montague... Lakewood Club... Hesperia...
Holton... New Era... Rothbury...
Brunswick... Reeman... Big Blue Lake...
St. Huberts... Wooster... Twin Lake...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm 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 4337 8640 4350 8647 4372 8599 4354 8576
4339 8603
TIME...MOT...LOC 0039Z 233DEG 31KT 4344 8620
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CASThe office that day
Everything else NWS Grand Rapids, MI issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 8:40 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GRR | Muskegon, Newaygo | 35 min |
| Apr 14, 8:48 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | GRR | 117 min | |
| Apr 14, 9:17 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa | 88 min |
| Apr 14, 9:22 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | GRR | Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana | 6 hr |
| Apr 14, 9:54 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Muskegon, Newaygo | 25 min |
| Apr 14, 9:55 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Gratiot, Montcalm | 65 min |
| Apr 14, 10:01 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Muskegon, Ottawa | 29 min |
| Apr 14, 10:03 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Kent | 57 min |
| Apr 14, 10:09 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Montcalm | 36 min |
| Apr 14, 10:16 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | GRR | Mecosta, Montcalm | 13 hr |
| Apr 14, 10:39 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | GRR | 81 min | |
| Apr 14, 10:49 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Ionia | 56 min |
| Apr 14, 10:54 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Ionia, Montcalm | 13 min |
| Apr 14, 11:01 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Clinton, Gratiot | 44 min |
| Apr 14, 11:03 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Barry, Ionia | 27 min |
| Apr 14, 11:12 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Allegan, Van Buren | 63 min |
| Apr 14, 11:14 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Clinton | 29 min |
| Apr 14, 11:17 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Gratiot | 28 min |
| Apr 14, 11:18 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | GRR | Gratiot | 12 hr |
| Apr 14, 11:27 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Clinton | 30 min |
| Apr 14, 11:37 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Barry, Eaton | 83 min |
| Apr 14, 11:38 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Allegan | 29 min |
| Apr 14, 11:51 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Calhoun, Kalamazoo | 84 min |
| Apr 14, 11:59 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | GRR | Barry | 35 min |
| Apr 15, 12:03 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Van Buren | 27 min |
| Apr 15, 12:09 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Ingham | 66 min |
| Apr 15, 12:37 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR | Jackson | 64 min |
| Apr 15, 12:44 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | GRR | Eaton, Ingham | 6 hr |
| Apr 15, 5:38 AM EDT | Special Marine Warning | GRR | 67 min | |
| Apr 15, 6:05 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | GRR | Allegan | 55 min |
| Apr 15, 6:30 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | GRR | Newaygo, Oceana | 8 hr |
| Apr 15, 7:45 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Clinton | 3 days |
| Apr 15, 10:08 AM EDT | Marine Dense Fog Advisory | GRR | 53 hr | |
| Apr 15, 12:19 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Kent | 5 hr |
| Apr 15, 12:19 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Gratiot | 5 days |
| Apr 15, 12:19 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Clinton | 21 days |
| Apr 15, 12:19 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Kent | 21 days |
| Apr 15, 12:19 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Ingham | 6 days |
| Apr 15, 12:19 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Ingham | 6 days |
| Apr 15, 12:19 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Ionia | 6 days |
| Apr 15, 12:19 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Barry | 21 days |
| Apr 15, 12:21 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Kent | 4 days |
| Apr 15, 2:17 PM EDT | Flash Flood Watch | GRR | Oceana | 5 days |
| Apr 15, 4:50 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | GRR | Muskegon | 5 days |
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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.