Severe thunderstorms developed and resulted in numerous reports of high winds and isolated reports of hail. Numerous trees and power lines fell in a 100 mile long and 30 mile wide swath from Grand Haven to northwest of Jackson.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS GRR wrote it up.
Severe thunderstorms developed and resulted in numerous reports of high winds and isolated reports of hail. Numerous trees and power lines fell in a 100 mile long and 30 mile wide swath from Grand Haven to northwest of Jackson. Grand Haven was hard hit by very strong winds coming off Lake Michigan. A man was killed when a large tree fell through his house in Grand Haven. A wind gust of 91 mph was recorded on the north Grand Haven breakwater. An unverified gust of at least 88 mph and possibly as high as 103 mph was recorded by a home weather station in the South Highland area, north of Rosy Mound. Wind gusts likely reached 60 to 80 mph across much of the rest of Ottawa county into Kent county. A gust to 88 mph was recorded on a rooftop at Grand Valley State University in Allendale.
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 Grand Rapids, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 7, 12:40 AM EST, 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 140 AM EDT Fri Jul 7 2017 LATEST UPDATE... Mesoscale Discussion/Aviation .MESOSCALE DISCUSSION... Issued at 140 AM EDT Fri Jul 7 2017 Severe weather threat is low as current radar trends show line of storms across the northern zones weakening as outflow boundary has surged well out ahead. Some one inch hail is still possible overnight as isolated strong updrafts are still expected despite diurnal decrease of instability. Given marginal shear values, storm mode should be multicell pulse type with a lesser chance of bowing line segments with localized high wind threat. && .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 329 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 Showers and thunderstorms will move through after midnight. Some of the stronger storms could bring hail and high winds. Heavy rain and minor flooding are also possible. Another frontal system may bring more showers and thunderstorms to the area later Sunday or Monday. Colder air will move in briefly Friday night into the weekend, with temperatures returning to around normal by next week. && .UPDATE... Issued at 800 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 Dropped POPs for this evening based on current radar trends. Looks like the storms across the western UP at this time are the only real chance for widespread precip for southwest Lower Michigan. They should be arriving over the NW zones around midnight then moving southeast and reaching the SE zones a few hours later. Severe threat will be mitigated by late night arrival of storms and lack of strong speed shear. && .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday night) Issued at 329 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 The main challenge in the short term deals with the potential for severe thunderstorms this evening and tonight. A couple rounds of thunderstorms are possible through the overnight hours. The main time frame of concern is from roughly 5 PM near Ludington to 4 AM for far southern Lower Michigan. Damaging winds over 60 mph are the main threat. Large hail and heavy rain are possible as well. Where storms repeatedly move of the same areas, the potential for flooding exists given a moist airmass. The short term models are not doing well and confidence is not high. Weak lift and an unstable atmosphere will result in pulse storms early this evening. The surface front, which will move in overnight, will help focus the convection and lead to stronger storms. The showers and storms should come to an end Friday morning behind the exiting front. The area will then have a break in the weather through at least Saturday night. Temperatures will mainly be around normal through the short term, except Friday night into Sunday behind the cold front. Temperatures will be a little below normal due to cold air moving down out of Canada. .LONG TERM...(Sunday through Thursday) Issued at 329 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 Models are in better agreement today with the overall pattern in the long term period of the forecast. Lingering upper troughing on Sunday is quickly replaced by rising heights on Monday. 500mb heights steadily rise through the remainder of the long term, so after highs around 80 on Sunday expecting highs in the 80s next week. A stalled frontal boundary looks to be in the Great Lakes region from Sunday into Tuesday. We have chances for showers and thunderstorms through these forecast periods, but it will certainly not be constant rain. Monday into Monday night appear to be the forecast periods with the best chances for rainfall. We have a dry forecast on Wednesday with surface ridging moving through the area. Thursday rain chances return with another cold front via the GFS. Bottom line, periodic chances for showers and storms with warmer temperatures in the 80s. && .AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night) Issued at 140 AM EDT Fri Jul 7 2017 Thunderstorms could bring areas of MVFR and localized IFR between 06Z and 10Z but overall conditions should remain VFR through Friday afternoon. Winds will be west to southwest around 10 knots then switch to northwest by 12z behind cold front. Some gusts to 30 knots are possible in storms tonight and some gusts to 20 knots are possible on Friday behind the front. && .MARINE... Issued at 329 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 Strong to severe storms are expected with and ahead of a cold front this evening and overnight. The main risk to mariners will be wind gusts to over 40 knots. Behind the front, northwest winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts to 20 will build waves of 2 to 4 feet. no headlines needed at this time. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 329 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 River levels are running near normal except in Central Michigan which are still above normal for early July. Scattered thunderstorms will put down rain amounts generally less than a half inch through Friday morning, but locally over an inch may fall if multiple cells move over the same area. Under the more likely of all potential scenarios, river flooding is not expected. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. LM...None. && MESOSCALE...Ostuno UPDATE...Ostuno SYNOPSIS...63 SHORT TERM...63 LONG TERM...Duke AVIATION...Ostuno HYDROLOGY...CAS MARINE...63
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 1245 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 LMZ844>849-MIZ037>040-043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074- 070830- 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-Mason-Lake- Osceola-Clare-Oceana-Newaygo-Mecosta-Isabella-Muskegon-Montcalm- Gratiot-Ottawa-Kent-Ionia-Clinton-Allegan-Barry-Eaton-Ingham- Van Buren-Kalamazoo-Calhoun-Jackson- 1245 PM EDT Thu Jul 6 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight A couple rounds of thunderstorms are possible from late this afternoon through the overnight hours. The main time frame of concern is from roughly 500 pm up towards Ludington to as late at 400 am towards Interstate 94. Damaging winds over 60 mph are the main threat. Large hail and heavy rain are possible as well. Where storms repeatedly move of the same areas, the potential for flooding exists given a moist airmass. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Thunderstorms are possible on Friday...then again for Sunday Night into Tuesday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed tonight. MJS/DUKE
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1237 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
MIZ037>039-043>045-070530-
Oceana MI-Osceola MI-Lake MI-Mecosta MI-Newaygo MI-Mason MI-
1237 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...
At 1236 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Harrietta to 6 miles southwest of Irons to
6 miles east of Ludington SP. Movement was southeast at 45 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph with downed tree limbs will be possible
with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Big Rapids... Ludington... Hart...
Evart... White Cloud... Baldwin...
Ludington SP... Shelby... Fremont...
Reed City... Scottville... Hesperia...
Marion... Mecosta... Barryton...
Luther... Fountain... Free Soil...
Mears SP... Freesoil...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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 4367 8654 4375 8646 4382 8643 4397 8646
4404 8651 4407 8651 4414 8606 4416 8510
4367 8509 4346 8556 4348 8646 4362 8654
TIME...MOT...LOC 0436Z 333DEG 39KT 4431 8565 4408 8602 4406 8637
MWSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1250 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
MIZ059-066-067-070545-
Clinton MI-Ingham MI-Eaton MI-
1250 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...
At 1250 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Dewitt to near Dimondale. Movement was
east at 30 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph with downed tree limbs
will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Lansing... Waverly... Haslett...
East Lansing... Williamston... Potterville...
Dewitt... Edgemont Park... Webberville...
Dimondale... Okemos... Bath...
Bell Oak... Holt...
LAT...LON 4262 8476 4291 8459 4294 8437 4278 8436
4278 8416 4261 8414
TIME...MOT...LOC 0450Z 264DEG 25KT 4285 8455 4269 8464
JKSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
124 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
MIZ037>040-043>046-050-070630-
Oceana MI-Osceola MI-Isabella MI-Muskegon MI-Lake MI-Mecosta MI-
Newaygo MI-Clare MI-Mason MI-
124 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...
At 122 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Moddersville to near Reed City to near
Weare. Movement was southeast at 25 mph. Additional thunderstorms
were over Lake Michigan and will be moving into the Ludington and
Pentwater areas over the next half hour.
Dime size hail and winds around 40 mph with downed tree limbs will
be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Big Rapids... Ludington... Clare...
Hart... Newaygo... Evart...
White Cloud... Baldwin... Ludington SP...
Shelby... Fremont... Reed City...
Scottville... Hesperia... Marion...
Farwell... Morley... Mecosta...
Barryton... Luther...
LAT...LON 4416 8496 4405 8461 4383 8460 4354 8514
4338 8609 4359 8653 4362 8654 4382 8643
4406 8651 4418 8639
TIME...MOT...LOC 0522Z 317DEG 23KT 4421 8491 4387 8555 4374 8630
JKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI
132 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1240 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 WNW LUDINGTON 44.00N 86.60W
07/07/2017 M34 MPH LMZ868 MI BUOY
BUOY STATION 45024, LUDINGTON BUOY.
&&
WDMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
226 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
MIZ043-044-050-056-057-064-071-070730-
Oceana MI-Muskegon MI-Allegan MI-Van Buren MI-Ottawa MI-Newaygo MI-
Kent MI-
226 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY...
At 224 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 5 miles west of Stony Lake to 36 miles west of
Douglas. Movement was east at 40 mph.
Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph with downed tree limbs
will be possible with these storms. Severe thunderstorms will be
possible with this line, so keep abreast of the weather and possible
warnings.
Locations impacted include...
Grand Rapids... Muskegon... Holland...
Grand Haven... South Haven... Newaygo...
Wyoming... Walker... Muskegon Heights...
Hudsonville... Zeeland... Coopersville...
Sparta... Fremont... Roosevelt Park...
North Muskegon... Ferrysburg... Whitehall...
Montague... Bangor...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these storms pass.
&&
LAT...LON 4343 8556 4223 8602 4234 8631 4269 8621
4298 8622 4363 8654
TIME...MOT...LOC 0624Z 290DEG 37KT 4357 8659 4265 8693
JKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI
232 AM EDT FRI JUL 7 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0140 AM NON-TSTM WND GST 8 WNW LUDINGTON 44.00N 86.60W
07/07/2017 M38 MPH LMZ868 MI BUOY
BUOY STATION 45024, LUDINGTON BUOY.
&&
WDMThe Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 65 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:38 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe thunderstorm wind gusts brought down several trees and power lines near Muskegon. A measured wind gust to 61 mph was reported.
A large tree fell on a home in Grand Haven and killed a 72 year old man. An 88 mph measured wind gust was recorded at Grand Valley State University in Allendale. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across Ottawa county.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across southern Kent county.
Several trees and power lines were blown down across Barry county.
Several trees were blown down in Eaton Rapids and across other portions of Eaton county.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa | 2017-07-07 | 72 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Michigan in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Michigan, July 2017
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: 713098, 713099, 713100, 713101, 713102.