Michigan, 2014

Hail and Damaging Winds in Michigan, September 5, 2014

September 5, 2014 · NWS DTX · 65 events in 13 counties and zones

Multiple rounds of severe storms rolled across Southern Michigan on Friday, September 5, bringing damaging winds and numerous reports of damage. Winds up to 74 mph were reported as the storms raced east ahead of a cold front.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
5
Property damage
$58,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
65

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DTX wrote it up.

Multiple rounds of severe storms rolled across Southern Michigan on Friday, September 5, bringing damaging winds and numerous reports of damage. Winds up to 74 mph were reported as the storms raced east ahead of a cold front. The environment was primed for severe weather with temperatures reaching into the upper 80s and lower 90s, along with dewpoints reaching up into the 70s. Nearly 400,000 homes and businesses in Southeast Michigan lost power due to the severe thunderstorms.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Detroit, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 5, 2:52 PM EST, 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 5, 2:52 PM EST, 13 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
352 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

.SHORT TERM...THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 495 WAS ISSUED AROUND 3 PM AND WILL BE IN
EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM THIS EVENING. RADAR/SATELLITE COMPOSITE HAS SHOWN
RAPID CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF HOURS ACROSS
THE REGION. AN 18Z DTX SOUNDING SHOWED A HIGHLY UNSTABLE ENVIRONMENT
OVER SE MI CHARACTERIZED BY SB CAPE OF 5200 J/KG WITH NO CAPPING
INVERSION. IN FACT...THE ABUNDANCE OF LOW LEVEL MOISTURE HAS HELD
0-1KM ML CAPE AROUND 3K J/KG. DESPITE RELATIVELY WEAK DEEP LAYER
SHEAR...STEEP LOW LEVEL LAPSE RATES AND VERY GOOD CAPE DENSITY WILL
CONTRIBUTE TO DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND HAIL WITH THE STRONGEST
STORMS. PERIODS OF INTENSE RAINFALL CAN ALSO BE EXPECTED GIVEN THE
HIGH DEGREE OF LOW LEVEL MOISTURE. SFC DEWPOINTS HAVE HELD INTO THE
LOWER TO MID 70S THIS AFTERNOON. WITH TEMPS NEARING THE 90 DEGREE
MARK OVER MUCH OF THE AREA...HEAT INDICES HAVE ACTUALLY ECLIPSED 95
DEGREES. THIS HEAT WILL QUICKLY WANE OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS AS
STORMS INCREASE IN COVERAGE.

THE ACTUAL SURFACE COLD FRONT /EXTENDING FROM NE LOWER MI TO SRN
LAKE MI AS OF 19Z/ WILL PUSH EAST OF METRO DETROIT BY 09Z.
CONVERGENCE ALONG THIS FRONT AS WELL AS ENHANCED LIFT ALONG NUMEROUS
PREFRONTAL TROUGH AXES WILL SUSTAIN CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT INTO THE
EARLY EVENING HOURS. WHILE THE RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL QUICKLY
WANE AFTER THE FRONTAL PASSAGE THIS EVENING...THE POTENTIAL FOR RAIN
WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS WILL PERSIST INTO THE NIGHT. GOOD DEEP
LAYER MOISTURE WILL PERSIST DURING THE EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT AS
THE MID LEVEL THETA E PLUME SLIDES ACROSS SE MI ALONG/BEHIND THE SFC
FRONT. MODEL SOLUTIONS SUGGEST PWATS WILL REMAIN IN THE 1.7 TO 1.9
INCH RANGE WITH 700MB DEWPOINTS HOVERING BETWEEN +3 AND +6C. A MID
LEVEL IMPULSE EVIDENT IN THE WATER VAPOR IMAGERY OVER IOWA WILL LIFT
INTO LOWER MI TONIGHT. INCREASED LOW-MID LEVEL FRONTAL FORCING WILL
ALSO OCCUR OVERNIGHT WITHIN THE ENTRANCE REGION OF AN UPPER JET MAX
TRAVERSING THE NORTHERN LAKES. THIS WILL SUPPORT A HIGH PROBABILITY
THAT SHOWERS WILL PERSIST WELL INTO THE NIGHT. GIVEN THE DEGREE OF
MOISTURE...THERE IS CERTAINLY CONCERNS FOR A LITTLE MORE WIDESPREAD
HEAVY RAINFALL. THE POTENTIAL THAT UPSCALE GROWTH OF EVENING
CONVECTION WILL SHUNT THE BULK OF INSTABILITY SOUTH OF THE STATE
MORE QUICKLY THAN MODEL SOLUTIONS SUGGEST RAISES ENOUGH PAUSE TO
HOLD OFF ON ANY FLOOD WATCHES AT THIS TIME.

&&

.LONG TERM...

WELL-DEFINED TIGHT COLD FRONT ASSOCIATED WITH THE LOW SHEARING
TOWARD JAMES BAY IS POSITIONED JUST UPSTREAM TODAY AND IS FORECAST
TO CLEAR THE AREA JUST PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF THE LONG TERM PERIOD
SATURDAY MORNING. DEPARTURE OF THE LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE AXIS WILL BE
QUICK TO FOLLOW AS DEAMPLIFICATION OF THE LARGE SCALE FLOW ALLOWS
THE ANTICYCLONE OVER THE FRONT RANGE TO RACE EAST AND AGGRESSIVELY
BUILD INTO THE GREAT LAKES REGION DURING THE DAY. AS SUCH, ANY
LINGERING CLOUDS OVER SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN ON SATURDAY MORNING BE
QUICK TO EXIT ALLOWING FULL SUN TO BREAK OUT AREAWIDE. COLD
ADVECTION WILL BE ONGOING FOR THE BALANCE OF THE DAY IN THE WAKE OF
THE FRONT. H85 TEMPERATURES ARE SHOWN BY THE GUIDANCE TO TAKE A
TUMBLE FROM THE 20C OBSERVED TODAY TO AROUND 8C BY TOMORROW AFTN.
RESULTANT STEEP LOW-LEVEL LAPSE RATES MAY ALLOW FOR A MODEST
AFTERNOON CU UP, BUT WITH DEWPOINTS FALLING QUICKLY INTO THE 40S BY
EVENING, NOT EXPECTING MUCH AT ALL IN THE WAY OF COVERAGE. DESPITE
NEARLY FULL SUN, HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL REACH NO HIGHER THAN THE LOW
70S WITH WIDESPREAD UPPER 40S/LOW 50S EXPECTED SATURDAY NIGHT AS
CLEAR SKIES DOMINATE AND THE GRADIENT RELAXES. TRANSIENT HIGH
PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE ITS QUICK TREK EASTWARD DURING THE BRIEF
PERIOD OF ZONAL FLOW ALOFT ON SUNDAY. LOW-LEVEL WINDS WILL VEER TO
THE WEST ACCORDINGLY ALLOWING SLIGHTLY MILDER AIR TO QUICKLY FILL
BACK INTO THE REGION. THIS WILL FORCE A SLIGHT WARMUP INTO THE MID
70S FOR SUNDAY BENEATH MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

EXTENDED FORECAST PERIOD WILL BE MARKED BY UPPER LEVEL ZONAL FLOW
WITH EMBEDDED SHORTWAVES RESIDING IN THE FLOW.  THESE SHORTWAVES
WILL BRING CHANCES FOR SOME PRECIPITATION THROUGH THE END OF NEXT
WEEK.  TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN ON THE COOLER SIDE...WITH HIGHS
HOVERING IN THE LOWER 70S AND LOWS IN THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 50S.

&&

.MARINE...

THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT THE WATERS DURING THE EVENING. THESE
STORMS WILL PRODUCE ABUNDANT LIGHTNING AND LOCALIZED WIND GUSTS OF
60 MPH. HAIL AROUND AN INCH IN DIAMETER IS ALSO POSSIBLE. LIGHT TO
MODERATE SOUTHERLY FLOW WILL THEN QUICKLY TURN TO THE NORTHWEST
BEHIND THE PASSING COLD FRONT TONIGHT. COOL NORTHWESTERLY FLOW WILL
BRING FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR WIND GUSTS...BUT A WEAK WIND FIELD
WILL CAP GUSTS AT AROUND 20 KNOTS OVER CENTRAL LAKE HURON. WINDS
WILL BRIEFLY RELAX ON SATURDAY AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN BEFORE
LIGHT TO MODERATE NORTHWEST FLOW RETURNS LATE SATURDAY.

&&

.AVIATION...ISSUED 111 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

//DISCUSSION...

BUILDING INSTABILITY THIS AFTERNOON AND THE APPROACH OF A COLD FRONT
WILL SET THE STAGE FOR STRONG THUNDERSTORMS. WHILE THE ACTUAL COLD
FRONT WILL NOT PASS ACROSS SE MI UNTIL 20-00Z...CONVERGENCE IN THE
PREFRONTAL ENVIRONMENT LOOKS TO SET THE STAGE FOR THUNDERSTORM
DEVELOPMENT JUST PRIOR TO FROPA. THE LATEST RADAR TRENDS ARE
ALREADY SHOWING DEVELOPMENT TAKING HOLD TO THE NORTHWEST OF MBS. A
LULL IN ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED AFTER 00Z WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE
FRONT...THEN A REGION OF POST FRONTAL RAIN SHOWERS IS FORECAST TO
DEVELOP OVERNIGHT. THE DEEPENING OF A POST FRONTAL INVERSION WITH
SOME RESIDUAL MOISTURE SHOULD RESULT IN SOME MVFR OR IFR STRATUS
PERSISTING INTO DAYBREAK SAT.

FOR DTW...CONFIDENCE IS GROWING THAT THE METRO AIRSPACE WILL BE
IMPACTED BY SOME STRONG STORMS TODAY. RECENT MODEL SOLUTIONS AND
TIMING OF THE LOW LEVEL FORCING SUGGEST THE MOST PROBABLE TIME
PERIOD OF CONVECTION WILL BE BETWEEN 20Z AND 23Z.

//DTW THRESHOLD THREATS...

* HIGH CONFIDENCE THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF THE METRO
AIRSPACE THIS AFTERNOON.

* MEDIUM CONFIDENCE CEILINGS BELOW 5000 FT WILL DEVELOP OVERNIGHT.

&&

.DTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...NONE.
LAKE HURON...NONE.
LAKE ST CLAIR...NONE.
MI WATERS OF LAKE ERIE...NONE.

&&

SHORT TERM...SC
LONG TERM....CB/SS
MARINE.......CB
AVIATION.....SC

YOU CAN OBTAIN YOUR LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS ONLINE
AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/DETROIT (ALL LOWER CASE).
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 5, 3:21 AM EST, 11 hours 44 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
421 AM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

MIZ049-053>055-060>063-068>070-075-076-082-083-060830-
HURON-SAGINAW-TUSCOLA-SANILAC-SHIAWASSEE-GENESEE-LAPEER-ST. CLAIR-
LIVINGSTON-OAKLAND-MACOMB-WASHTENAW-WAYNE-LENAWEE-MONROE-
421 AM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL LIKELY BE TRIGGERED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
AS A STRONG COLD FRONT MOVES INTO LOWER MICHIGAN. THESE STORMS
WILL BE STRONG TO SEVERE...WITH THE MOST LIKELY PERIOD FOR SEVERE
WEATHER BETWEEN 2 PM AND 10 PM TODAY. THE BIGGEST THREATS WILL BE
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO 60 MPH...HAIL TO 1 INCH IN DIAMETER...AND
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WHICH MAY LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. AN
ADDITIONAL ROUND OF RAINFALL WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS IS
POSSIBLE DURING THE LATE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT ALONG AND SOUTH OF
THE M-59 CORRIDOR...WITH RAIN POTENTIALLY BECOMING HEAVY ONCE
AGAIN. STORM MOTION TODAY AND TONIGHT WILL BE TO THE NORTHEAST AT
AROUND 30 MPH.

A VERY WARM AND HUMID AIRMASS WILL PRECEDE THE COLD FRONT AND
THUNDERSTORMS. HEAT INDEX VALUES ARE EXPECTED TO CLIMB INTO THE
LOW TO MID 90S THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS TUESDAY NIGHT AND
WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
DISPATCHERS...PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGER IMMEDIATELY.
SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

LCZ422-423-460-LEZ444-LHZ361>363-421-422-441>443-462>464-060830-
ST. CLAIR RIVER-DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ST. CLAIR-
MICHIGAN WATERS OF LAKE ERIE FROM DETROIT RIVER TO NORTH CAPE MI-
LAKE HURON FROM 5NM EAST OF MACKINAC BRIDGE TO PRESQUE ISLE LT
BEYOND 5 NM OFF SHORE-
LAKE HURON FROM PRESQUE ISLE LIGHT TO STURGEON POINT MI BEYOND 5NM
OFF SHORE-
LAKE HURON FROM STURGEON POINT TO ALABASTER MI BEYOND 5NM OFF SHORE-
OUTER SAGINAW BAY SW OF ALABASTER TO PORT AUSTIN MI TO INNER SAGINAW
BAY-INNER SAGINAW BAY SW OF POINT AU GRES TO BAY PORT MI-
PORT AUSTIN TO HARBOR BEACH MI-HARBOR BEACH TO PORT SANILAC MI-
PORT SANILAC TO PORT HURON MI-
LAKE HURON FROM PORT AUSTIN TO HARBOR BEACH BEYOND 5NM OFF SHORE-
LAKE HURON FROM HARBOR BEACH TO PORT SANILAC BEYOND 5NM OFF SHORE-
LAKE HURON FROM PORT SANILAC TO PORT HURON BEYOND 5NM OFF SHORE-
421 AM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF LAKE ERIE...LAKE
HURON AND LAKE ST CLAIR.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL LIKELY BE TRIGGERED TODAY AS AS A STRONG COLD
FRONT MOVES INTO LOWER MICHIGAN. THESE STORMS MAY BECOME STRONG TO
SEVERE...PARTICULARLY OVER LAKE ST CLAIR AND LAKE ERIE...WITH THE
MOST LIKELY PERIOD 12 PM AND 10 PM TODAY. THE BIGGEST THREATS WILL
BE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO 50 KNOTS...HAIL TO 1 INCH IN DIAMETER...AND
TORRENTIAL RAINFALL WHICH WILL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE VISIBILITIES.
ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT OVER LAKE ST CLAIR
AND LAKE ERIE. STORM MOTION TODAY AND TONIGHT WILL BE TO THE
NORTHEAST AT AROUND 30 KNOTS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS TUESDAY NIGHT AND
WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
DISPATCHERS...PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGER IMMEDIATELY.
SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

MIZ047-048-060830-
MIDLAND-BAY-
421 AM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL LIKELY BE TRIGGERED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
AS A STRONG COLD FRONT MOVES INTO LOWER MICHIGAN. THESE STORMS MAY BE STRONG
TO SEVERE...WITH THE MOST LIKELY PERIOD FOR SEVERE WEATHER BETWEEN
12 PM AND 6 PM TODAY. THE BIGGEST THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WIND
GUSTS TO 60 MPH...HAIL TO 1 INCH IN DIAMETER...AND TORRENTIAL
RAINFALL WHICH MAY LEAD TO LOCALIZED FLOODING. STORM MOTION TODAY
AND TONIGHT WILL BE TO THE NORTHEAST AT AROUND 30 MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS TUESDAY NIGHT AND
WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...DISPATCHERS...PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGER IMMEDIATELY.
SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

HLO

YOU CAN OBTAIN YOUR LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS ONLINE
AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/DETROIT (ALL LOWER CASE).

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 5, 2:33 PM EST, 32 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
333 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

MIZ053-052015-
SAGINAW-
333 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

AT 332 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
RAPIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORM 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SAGINAW...MOVING
EAST AT 30 MPH.

PEA SIZE HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING...FREQUENT DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

* THE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  BRIDGEPORT BY 340 PM EDT...
  FRANKENMUTH BY 355 PM EDT...

GUSTY WINDS MAY CAUSE SMALL OBJECTS SUCH AS TRASH BINS TO BLOW
AROUND. STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. SEEK
SHELTER IN A STURDY STRUCTURE UNTIL THIS STORM HAS PASSED.

BEHNKE
Local storm report, Sep 5, 2:34 PM EST, 31 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
334 PM EDT FRI SEP 05 2014

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

0330 PM     HEAVY RAIN       PINCONNING              43.86N 83.96W
09/05/2014  M0.85 INCH       BAY                MI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            OCCURRED IN 15 MINUTES

&&

THOMPSON
Special weather statement, Sep 5, 2:35 PM EST, 30 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
335 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

MIZ048-052015-
BAY-
335 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

AT 332 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM PINCONNING TO 9
MILES NORTHWEST OF AUBURN...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH...FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...FREQUENT DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH
THESE STORMS.

* THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  LINWOOD BY 345 PM EDT...
  BAY CITY AND KAWKAWLIN BY 350 PM EDT...
  MUNGER AND ESSEXVILLE BY 355 PM EDT...

GUSTY WINDS MAY CAUSE SMALL OBJECTS SUCH AS TRASH BINS TO BLOW
AROUND. STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. SEEK
SHELTER IN A STURDY STRUCTURE UNTIL THESE STORMS HAVE PASSED.

BEHNKE
Special weather statement, Sep 5, 2:45 PM EST, 20 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
345 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

MIZ049-052045-
HURON-
345 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

AT 341 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES WEST OF PORT
AUSTIN TO 21 MILES WEST OF SEBEWAING...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

PENNY SIZE HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING...HEAVY DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE
STORMS.

* THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  PORT AUSTIN BY 350 PM EDT...
  SEBEWAING AND PIGEON BY 410 PM EDT...
  ELKTON BY 420 PM EDT...
  OWENDALE BY 425 PM EDT...
  PORT HOPE BY 435 PM EDT...
  BAD AXE BY 440 PM EDT...
  HARBOR BEACH AND UBLY BY 445 PM EDT...

GUSTY WINDS MAY CAUSE SMALL OBJECTS SUCH AS TRASH BINS TO BLOW
AROUND. STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. SEEK
SHELTER IN A STURDY STRUCTURE UNTIL THESE STORMS HAVE PASSED.

BEHNKE
Special weather statement, Sep 5, 2:49 PM EST, 16 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
349 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

MIZ054-052045-
TUSCOLA-
349 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...

AT 345 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 23 MILES NORTH OF
AKRON TO 14 MILES SOUTHWEST OF REESE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

PEA SIZE HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH...FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING...BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH THESE STORMS.

* THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...
  UNIONVILLE AND FAIRGROVE BY 400 PM EDT...
  VASSAR BY 405 PM EDT...
  MILLINGTON AND CARO BY 415 PM EDT...
  GAGETOWN BY 420 PM EDT...
  MAYVILLE AND CASS CITY BY 430 PM EDT...
  KINGSTON BY 440 PM EDT...

GUSTY WINDS MAY CAUSE SMALL OBJECTS SUCH AS TRASH BINS TO BLOW
AROUND. STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. SEEK
SHELTER IN A STURDY STRUCTURE UNTIL THESE STORMS HAVE PASSED.

BEHNKE
Special weather statement, Sep 5, 2:56 PM EST, 9 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONTIAC MI
356 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

MIZ061-052030-
GENESEE-
356 PM EDT FRI SEP 5 2014

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

AT 353 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
RAPIDLY DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORM 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CLIO...MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

ONE HALF INCH DIAMETER HAIL...WINDS GREATER THAN 30 MPH...FREQUENT
CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS...ARE POSSIBLE WITH
THIS STORM.

* THE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR...
  OTISVILLE BY 405 PM EDT...

GUSTY WINDS MAY CAUSE SMALL OBJECTS SUCH AS TRASH BINS TO BLOW
AROUND. STAY AWAY FROM HIGH OBJECTS OUTDOORS SUCH AS TREES. SEEK
SHELTER IN A STURDY STRUCTURE UNTIL THIS STORM HAS PASSED.

BEHNKE

The radar

The Detroit radar (KDTX), 97 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:05 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

63 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Tuscola

When
September 5, 3:05 PM EST
Where
Tuscola County, 1.5 mi W of Akron
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
43.570, -83.550

Power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When
September 5, 3:15 PM EST
Where
Huron County, 0.69 mi N of Pigeon
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
43.830, -83.270

Eight inch diameter tree branches reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When
September 5, 3:27 PM EST
Where
Huron County, 1.47 mi SSW of Bad Axe
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
43.780, -83.010

Large tree reported down on road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When
September 5, 3:28 PM EST
Where
Huron County, Bad Axe
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
43.800, -83.000

Measured at Huron County Memorial Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Huron

When
September 5, 3:28 PM EST
Where
Huron County, 2.3 mi SSE of Popple
Measured
54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
43.740, -83.080

Several large tree limbs and a few trees reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sanilac

When
September 5, 3:39 PM EST
Where
Sanilac County, 0.85 mi SW of Argyle
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
43.560, -82.940

Multiple trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sanilac

When
September 5, 3:54 PM EST
Where
Sanilac County, Sandusky
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
43.420, -82.830

Multiple trees reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sanilac

When
September 5, 4:18 PM EST
Where
Sanilac County, Port Sanilac
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
43.430, -82.550

Multiple trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lapeer

When
September 5, 4:33 PM EST
Where
Lapeer County, 0.86 mi NW of Five Lakes
Measured
54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
43.160, -83.260

Two trees reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lapeer

When
September 5, 4:35 PM EST
Where
Lapeer County, 1.01 mi W of Five Lakes
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
43.150, -83.270

Two foot diameter tree limb reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lapeer

When
September 5, 4:35 PM EST
Where
Lapeer County, 0.86 mi NW of Holloway Res
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
43.160, -83.460

Multiple trees reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sanilac

When
September 5, 4:55 PM EST
Where
Sanilac County, 0.69 mi N of Peck
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
43.260, -82.820

One foot diameter tree snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sanilac

When
September 5, 4:58 PM EST
Where
Sanilac County, 0.86 mi SW of Roseburg
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
43.170, -82.760

Damage to a barn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When
September 5, 5:31 PM EST
Where
Genesee County, 1.01 mi W of Fenton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.800, -83.720

Six inch diameter trees reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When
September 5, 5:51 PM EST
Where
Oakland County, 2.14 mi ESE of Newark
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.860, -83.580

One foot diameter tree snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When
September 5, 5:53 PM EST
Where
Oakland County, 0.51 mi W of Ortonville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.850, -83.440

Benches flipped and canopies blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When
September 5, 6:10 PM EST
Where
Oakland County, 1.23 mi NW of Clarkston
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.740, -83.420

A couple of trees reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Livingston

When
September 5, 6:10 PM EST
Where
Livingston County, 4.15 mi S of Fleming
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.540, -83.970

One foot diameter tree reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When
September 5, 6:12 PM EST
Where
Oakland County, 2.94 mi NNE of Clarkston
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
42.770, -83.380

Large tree limb and power line reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:15 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 3.14 mi ESE of Lyndon Center
Measured
54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.370, -84.020

Fifteen inch diameter tree snapped. Roof damage to roof under construction.

Thunderstorm Wind, Livingston

When
September 5, 6:15 PM EST
Where
Livingston County, 1.02 mi W of Pinckney
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.450, -83.950

A spotter estimated a 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Livingston

When
September 5, 6:19 PM EST
Where
Livingston County, 2.46 mi NW of Fowlerville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.690, -84.110

One foot diameter tree down blocking road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:20 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 2.14 mi SSE of Sharon Hollow
Measured
54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.150, -84.090

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:27 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 3.14 mi ESE of Dover
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.390, -83.840

Six inch diameter trees blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lapeer

When
September 5, 6:30 PM EST
Where
Lapeer County, 0.69 mi S of Imlay City
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
43.020, -83.080

Multiple trees and power line reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lenawee

When
September 5, 6:31 PM EST
Where
Lenawee County, 0.86 mi NW of Tecumseh
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.010, -83.940

Tree bent in half.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:32 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 0.86 mi NW of Saline
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
42.180, -83.780

Tree and roof damage reported.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:34 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 1.53 mi W of Dexter
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
42.330, -83.900

Two ten inch diameter trees down, one down on a vehicle.

Hail, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:38 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 0.86 mi NW of Saline
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.180, -83.780

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:39 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 1.68 mi WSW of Saline
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.160, -83.800

Multiple trees reported down. Shingles removed from a roof.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:39 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 1.54 mi E of Saline
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.170, -83.740

One foot tree limb reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When
September 5, 6:39 PM EST
Where
Genesee County, 0.69 mi N of Argentine
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.790, -83.830

Numerous trees and wires down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:44 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 0.69 mi N of Whittaker
Measured
64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.140, -83.600

Hail, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:47 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 0.86 mi SE of Ypsilanti McEnnan Fl
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.190, -83.620

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:47 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 1.47 mi SSW of Rawsonville
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.200, -83.560

A spotter estimated a 70 mph thunderstorm wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 6:47 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 1.47 mi SSW of (Yip)wilow Run Apt D
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.210, -83.540

Two foot diameter tree uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 6:48 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 1.02 mi E of Coventry Gardens
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.400, -83.350

Wires and small branches reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washtenaw

When
September 5, 6:49 PM EST
Where
Washtenaw County, 1.24 mi SE of Ypsilanti McEnnan Fl
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.190, -83.610

A spotter estimated a 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When
September 5, 6:53 PM EST
Where
Monroe County, 0.86 mi NW of Carleton
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.060, -83.390

Multiple trees reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 6:55 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 2.13 mi NNW of Norwayne
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.310, -83.390

Large tree limbs reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When
September 5, 6:56 PM EST
Where
Genesee County, 1.71 mi SE of Grand Blanc
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.900, -83.600

Five inch diameter tree branch reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 6:57 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 0.51 mi E of Romulus
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.220, -83.370

Measured at Detroit Metro Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When
September 5, 6:58 PM EST
Where
Genesee County, 1.38 mi S of Grand Blanc
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.900, -83.620

Grand Blanc Fire Department reported trees down and partial collapse of house on Crest Knoll Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When
September 5, 6:58 PM EST
Where
Genesee County, 0.69 mi S of Grand Blanc
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
42.910, -83.620

Four to six inch diameter tree branches and power poles reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When
September 5, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Oakland County, 1.38 mi N of Lathrup
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.520, -83.220

Trees and tree limbs down in Nottingham Forecast Subdivision.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:01 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 1.38 mi N of Taylor Center
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$3,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.240, -83.270

Power lines reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When
September 5, 7:03 PM EST
Where
Genesee County, 0.69 mi N of Atlas
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Amateur Radio
Coordinates
42.940, -83.530

One and half foot diameter tree reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When
September 5, 7:03 PM EST
Where
Genesee County, 0.51 mi W of Goodrich
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.920, -83.510

Ten inch diameter tree snapped, along with multiple large tree limbs down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:03 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 0.86 mi NW of Ecorse Jct
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.310, -83.110

Multiple large tree limbs reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Genesee

When
September 5, 7:03 PM EST
Where
Genesee County, 0.69 mi S of Goodrich
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.910, -83.500

Numerous large trees down, some on homes and vehicles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When
September 5, 7:06 PM EST
Where
Oakland County, 1.23 mi SW of Clawson
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.520, -83.150

Four inch diameter tree branch down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lapeer

When
September 5, 7:06 PM EST
Where
Lapeer County, Hadley
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
42.950, -83.400

Tree fell onto a car.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When
September 5, 7:06 PM EST
Where
Oakland County, 1.47 mi NNE of Berkley
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.520, -83.160

Eighteen inch diameter tree reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, St. Clair

When
September 5, 7:08 PM EST
Where
St. Clair County, 1.67 mi WSW of Port Huron Intl Arpt
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.890, -82.560

Wires reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:09 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 0.86 mi NE of Westland
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Injuries
5 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
42.330, -83.290

An event tent fell over and injured 5 people.

Thunderstorm Wind, Oakland

When
September 5, 7:10 PM EST
Where
Oakland County, 1.72 mi NE of Huntington Woods
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.500, -83.100

Small branches reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:10 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 0.86 mi SE of Redford Hgts
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.360, -83.240

A spotter estimated a 60 mph thunderstorm wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Macomb

When
September 5, 7:10 PM EST
Where
Macomb County, 1.53 mi W of East Detroit
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.470, -82.960

Trees down and two large tents destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:10 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 2.04 mi W of (Det)detroit City Ar
Measured
54 kt (62 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.420, -83.060

Severe large trees reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Macomb

When
September 5, 7:10 PM EST
Where
Macomb County, 0.51 mi W of Washington
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.720, -83.040

Three inch diameter tree branches reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:12 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 1.23 mi SE of (Det)detroit City Ar
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.410, -83.000

Measured at Detroit City Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Macomb

When
September 5, 7:13 PM EST
Where
Macomb County, 1.72 mi NE of Center Line
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.490, -83.010

Large tree limbs reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:14 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 1.02 mi E of Sibley
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
42.130, -83.150

Measured at Grosse Ile Municipal Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:15 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 1.38 mi N of Flat Rock
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.100, -83.270

Large tree limbs reported down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When
September 5, 7:18 PM EST
Where
Wayne County, 0.86 mi SW of Grosse Pt Woods
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
42.420, -82.930

Trees and wires reported down.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Michigan in 2014Every state in 2014This day in weather historyWarnings in Michigan, September 2014

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 539846, 539850, 539845, 539851, 539864, 539852, 539853, 539854, 539856, 539855, 539887, 539908, 539895, 539858, 539857, 539861, 539898, 539906, 539921, 539885, 539896, 539905, 539862, 539901, 539911, 539884, 539865, 539869, 539842, 539891, 539899, 539907, 539872, 539843, 539878, 539922, 539880, 539875, 539913, 539916, and more.