Alert archive / Michigan / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 38, NWS Northern Indiana
NWS Northern Indiana issued this tornado warning at Jun 16, 2026, 6:29 PM EDT for Berrien County, Cass County, Michigan. It was in force for 46 min. 10 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
- Jun 16, 2026, 6:29 PM EDT (22:29 UTC)
- Expired
- Jun 16, 2026, 7:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 46 min
- Issued by
- NWS Northern Indiana
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Berrien County, MI, Cass County, MI
The radar
The Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 74 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:30 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 6:30 PM EDT | HAIL 1 | 3 Ese Berrien Springs, MI | Jones and Pokagon Road. Continued from 6:22 pm to 6:33 pm (quarter or less). |
| Jun 16, 6:35 PM EDT | HAIL 1 | 2 E Berrien Springs, MI | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
| Jun 16, 6:43 PM EDT | HAIL 1 | 1 Nw Pokagon, MI | |
| Jun 16, 6:45 PM EDT | HAIL 2 | 1 Nne Pokagon, MI | Corrects previous hail report from 1 NNE Pokagon. |
| Jun 16, 6:47 PM EDT | HAIL 1.25 | 1 N Pokagon, MI | Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). |
| Jun 16, 6:59 PM EDT | HAIL 1 | 2 Sw Cassopolis, MI | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.). |
| Jun 16, 7:00 PM EDT | HAIL 1 | 2 Nw Penn, MI | Varying smaller sizes, the largest up to quarter sized. Time between 7pm-7:03pm ET. |
| Jun 16, 7:05 PM EDT | HAIL 1.75 | Vandalia, MI | |
| Jun 16, 7:09 PM EDT | HAIL 1.25 | Vandalia, MI | Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.). |
| Jun 16, 7:12 PM EDT | HAIL 2 | 1 Ne Vandalia, MI | 2.17 inch measured hail stone measured with photo. Also observed ping pong to golf ball sized hail. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 4:07 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | SPC | 7 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Detroit, MI (KDTX), launched 12:00Z, 10.5 hours before the alert went out and 232 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
- 23 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -151 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1674 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 39 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 124 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 131 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
123
WFUS53 KIWX 162229
TORIWX
MIC021-027-162315-
/O.NEW.KIWX.TO.W.0038.260616T2229Z-260616T2315Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
629 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central Cass County in southwestern Michigan...
Southeastern Berrien County in southwestern Michigan...
* Until 715 PM EDT.
* At 628 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Berrien Springs, or near Niles, moving east at 30
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 dangerous storm will be near...
Niles around 635 PM EDT.
Dowagiac around 640 PM EDT.
Cassopolis around 645 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Penn,
Vandalia, Diamond Lake, Dailey, La Grange, Paradise Lake, Calvin
Center, Sumnerville, Pokagon, and Indian Lake.
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 4199 8586 4184 8590 4186 8638 4194 8639
4207 8605 4207 8597
TIME...MOT...LOC 2228Z 260DEG 28KT 4190 8630
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
CLH2 follow-up statements
349
WWUS53 KIWX 162243
SVSIWX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
643 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
MIC021-162253-
/O.CAN.KIWX.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-260616T2315Z/
Berrien MI-
643 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BERRIEN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
southwestern Michigan.
&&
LAT...LON 4199 8586 4184 8590 4185 8623 4200 8622
4207 8605 4207 8597
TIME...MOT...LOC 2243Z 270DEG 27KT 4191 8615
$$
MIC027-162315-
/O.CON.KIWX.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-260616T2315Z/
Cass MI-
643 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
CASS COUNTY...
At 643 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Dowagiac, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
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 dangerous storm will be near...
Cassopolis around 650 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Penn,
Vandalia, Diamond Lake, Dailey, La Grange, Paradise Lake, Calvin
Center, Sumnerville, Pokagon, and Indian Lake.
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.
If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.
&&
LAT...LON 4199 8586 4184 8590 4185 8623 4200 8622
4207 8605 4207 8597
TIME...MOT...LOC 2243Z 270DEG 27KT 4191 8615
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
CLH620
WWUS53 KIWX 162253 RRA
SVSIWX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
653 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
MIC027-162315-
/O.CON.KIWX.TO.W.0038.000000T0000Z-260616T2315Z/
Cass MI-
653 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
CASS COUNTY...
At 653 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Cassopolis, or near Dowagiac, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Cassopolis around 700 PM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Penn,
Vandalia, Diamond Lake, Dailey, La Grange, Paradise Lake, Calvin
Center, Donnell Lake, and Wakelee.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
If a tornado or other severe weather is spotted, report it to the
National Weather Service or your local nearest law enforcement agency
who will send your report. This act may save lives of others in the
path of dangerous weather.
&&
LAT...LON 4199 8586 4184 8590 4185 8614 4197 8616
4206 8596
TIME...MOT...LOC 2253Z 264DEG 28KT 4190 8604
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
CLHWhat 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 Northern Indiana wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Jun 16, 2:43 PM EDT, 3 hours 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- A slight risk for severe weather exists for this afternoon and evening with damaging winds and hail the main threats, but a tornado cannot be ruled out.
- A moderate risk for severe weather exists for Wednesday into Wednesday night. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes, and localized flooding are all potential threats.
- A moderate swim risk for southeast Lake Michigan beaches is present today and a high swim risk appears likely for Thursday.
- Dry weather returns for Friday and Saturday.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 16, 2:43 PM EDT, 3 hours 46 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
243 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A slight risk for severe weather exists for this afternoon and
evening with damaging winds and hail the main threats, but a
tornado cannot be ruled out.
- A moderate risk for severe weather exists for Wednesday into
Wednesday night. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes,
and localized flooding are all potential threats.
- A moderate swim risk for southeast Lake Michigan beaches is
present today and a high swim risk appears likely for
Thursday.
- Dry weather returns for Friday and Saturday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1225 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
Pretty active period over the next 36 hours or so in terms of
strong to severe thunderstorms. For today's portion of events
there will be two spurts. The first one will consist of showers
and embedded thunderstorms accompanying a shortwave with a weak
quasi-boundary which are currently pushing eastward across the
area. The main impact up to this point has been showers with a
few rumbles of thunder. The second part will be scattered
thunderstorms developing mainly in the wake of the first burst
with increase solar insolation behind this first band. This will
help to increase the SB CAPE values to around 1200 J/kg. The one
thing to monitor will be weak lake breeze boundaries and a
developing warm frontal boundary approaching from the west that
will help provide storms with increased shear and helicity.
Shear values around 25 to 45 knots and helicity values around
100 to 150 m2/s2 will be possible and sufficient to allow for
strong to severe storms to develop. Mid level lapse rate values
of 7 to 7.5 deg/km will be available. A limiting factor will be
the lack of a stronger forcing mechanism and will lead to a
more scattered nature in the storms. Gusty winds and hail will
be the main threats but there is still the possibility for a
tornado or two.
For tomorrow, warm air advection will continue and will see
increasing dew points from the 50s to the 60s. A warm frontal
boundary will be pushing north and eastward and putting us in
the warm sector. As this boundary pushes northward showers will
be on the increase with even a few embedded thunderstorms after
around 10 AM EDT. A few of the storms in this time period could
become strong to severe but should remain fairly tame. By the
afternoon, a cold front will be pushing eastward across IA/IL/WI
and approach our western parts of the CWA after 3-4 PM EDT and
will push eastward through the area by 2 AM EDT. This will be
the main event.
The ingredients look to be well in place and a very hearty mid-
level flow around 60 knots with a low level jet expecting to
strengthen into the evening. This really is a rare type set-up
especially for this time of the year with that much mid-level
flow in this synoptic pattern. SB CAPE values progged around
1500 J/kg with bulk shear values of 50 to 60 kts. Lapse rates of
8 deg/km and PWATs around 2 inches. The forecasted helicity
values will be pretty much off the charts at a 500-600 m2/s2.
Effective layer STP values of 10 to 11. Wow. All threats are on
the table and SPC currently has our area under a moderate to
slight risk for severe thunderstorms and a tornado threat around
15%. The main threats will be very strong gusty winds and large
hail of around 2 inches in diameter and of course tornados,
some becoming long- lived possible. Also, a threat of localized
flooding will be possible with the very efficient rainfall with
the elevated PWATs, even considering the fast moving nature of
the storms. So this is a potentially very dangerous situation
and one would be wise to use caution and stay very weather aware
tomorrow. Make sure to have multiple means of receiving
warnings and keep your cell phones charged up and a fresh set of
batteries in your weather radios in case of power outages.
In the wake of this cold front drier conditions will arrive
with Thursday through Saturday mainly precipitation free. Cooler
temperatures will also continue with highs in the 70s.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 224 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
Showers and storms are currently moving through the area with a
second stronger convective line associated with a cold front
expected after 21Z. Damaging wind and hail are the main
threats, but a tornado cannot be ruled out. Additionally,
southwest gusts to 25 to 30 kts will be possible through the day
today.
The storm threat should end for SBN around 00Z and then FWA by
around 02Z tonight. Stronger storms with heavy rain are expected
on Wednesday, beginning around 16Z.
&&
.IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...None.
OH...None.
MI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM EDT this evening for LMZ043-
046.
&&
DISCUSSION...Andersen
AVIATION...CobbIn the hours before
Local storm report, Jun 16, 5:17 PM EDT, 1 hour 12 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
517 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0442 PM Hail Chalmers 40.66N 86.87W
06/16/2026 E0.50 Inch White IN Public
Varied from pea to just under half an inch
sized hail.
&&
MCDLocal storm report, Jun 16, 6:14 PM EDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
614 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0605 PM Hail 1 W Baroda 41.95N 86.51W
06/16/2026 M0.50 Inch Berrien MI Public
&&
MCDLocal storm report, Jun 16, 6:20 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
620 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0617 PM Hail 2 E Stevensville 42.02N 86.49W
06/16/2026 E0.75 Inch Berrien MI Public
Report from mPING: Dime (0.75 in.).
&&
MCDLocal storm report, Jun 16, 6:22 PM EDT, 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
622 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM Hail 2 SE Shoreham 42.03N 86.49W
06/16/2026 M0.50 Inch Berrien MI Public
&&
MCDLocal storm report, Jun 16, 6:24 PM EDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
624 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0619 PM Hail Berrien Springs 41.95N 86.34W
06/16/2026 E0.75 Inch Berrien MI Trained Spotter
A large quantity of 0.5 to 0.75 inch
diameter hail.
&&
MCDLocal storm report, Jun 16, 6:26 PM EDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
626 PM EDT Tue Jun 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0609 PM Hail Baroda 41.95N 86.49W
06/16/2026 E0.50 Inch Berrien MI Public
Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
&&
MCDThe office that day
Everything else NWS Northern Indiana issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 5:56 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | IWX | Berrien | 49 min |
| Jun 16, 7:06 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | IWX | Cass, Saint Joseph | 39 min |
| Jun 16, 7:36 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | IWX | Saint Joseph | 39 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.