A cold front moving through a moist and unstable air mass produced severe thunderstorms over portions of west and central Upper Michigan on the afternoon of the 5th.
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 MQT wrote it up.
A cold front moving through a moist and unstable air mass produced severe thunderstorms over portions of west and central Upper Michigan on the afternoon of the 5th.
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 Marquette, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 2, 1:16 PM CST, 33 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Marquette MI 316 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 .SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday) Issued at 315 PM EDT FRI AUG 2 2019 A very subtle shortwave is moving through the region today between areas of strong sfc high pressure. Sfc dew points have climbed into the 60s across the Upper Peninsula and a couple of spots have seen low 70s dew points this afternoon. This allowed for instability to build to 1500-2000 J/kg across the interior, perhaps locally higher in locations that have seen some sun. A few pop-up showers and storms over Goegebic and Ontonagon early have now been joined by development across the north-central and eastern UP. The main forcing for development today was expected to be weak lake breeze convergence, and although said breeze does not appear to have made it very far inland, development has begun in earnest. Coverage is expected to increase across the area this afternoon as activity slowly shifts south, mostly exiting by mid- evening. There is little to no shear to speak of today, so storms have been very pulsey, however one cell was reported to have pea size hail over Marquette in the last hour. Brief heavy downpours, lightning, and isolated small hail and gusty winds will remain possible this afternoon but severe weather is not expected. After the shower and storm activity diminishes this evening, we'll see areas of fog and some low stratus begin to develop late tonight, perhaps becoming dense in spots with winds light to calm and dew points refusing to drop any lower than the mid 50s. Flow on Saturday will be modest but more northerly or northeasterly, and this will keep highs in the northern tier of counties in the low to mid 70s for the most part, though inland most spots should climb to the upper 70s to low 80s. There is just a slight chance for another pop-up shower or storm near the WI border in the afternoon, but nothing like today's activity is expected. .LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday) Issued at 235 PM EDT FRI AUG 2 2019 Upper pattern consists of a 500 mb trough on the west coast, a trough in the Canadian Rockies, a deep trough over the eastern U.S. and a ridge across the Rockies and plains 00z Sun. The trough in the Canadian Rockies heads east into the Canadian prairies 00z Mon and then digs into the upper Great Lakes on Mon. Did not make too many changes to the going forecast. Not real great chances for pcpn for this forecast period with the best chances being on Mon afternoon. In the extended, the GFS and ECMWF show a 500 mb ridge over the Rockies 12z Tue with a digging shortwave over the upper Great Lakes embedded in a trough in the eastern U.S. A sfc front will be south of the area on Tue. An upper level trough will remain in the area through Fri with the sfc front stalling to the south of the area. Temperatures stay near normal for this forecast period. Not real great chances for pcpn in this forecast period. && .AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Saturday afternoon) Issued at 122 PM EDT FRI AUG 2 2019 As a lake breeze and weak cold front converge over the central Upper Peninsula, isolated showers and storms will increase in coverage and are most likely to affect KSAW. Isolated -shra/-tsra cannot be ruled out at KIWD but are not expected at KCMX. Any development should mainly remain VFR but brief lower ceilings and visibility reductions are possible mainly as KSAW. This evening, any showers will exit to the south and late tonight development of fog/low stratus is expected, with KSAW likely to experience LIFR conditions. Mainly IFR to MVFR conditions are possible at KIWD/KCMX tomorrow morning, and all sites should see improvement by 14Z Saturday. && .MARINE...(For the 4 PM Lake Superior forecast issuance) Issued at 315 PM EDT FRI AUG 2 2019 Light winds of 15 knots or less expected across the lake through the weekend and mainly into the middle of next week, although winds of 15 to 20 knots are possible Sunday night and Monday. Models develop fog tonight over the north-central lake and spread it onto the eastern portions. Although confidence is not high in this becoming widespread, the amount of moisture has pumped northward has exceeded expectations and so some patchy fog development has been introduced to the forecast. && .MQT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Upper Michigan... None. Lake Superior... None. Lake Michigan... None. && SHORT TERM...KCW LONG TERM...07 AVIATION...KCW MARINE...KCW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Marquette MI 324 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 MIZ001>007-009>014-084-085-031200- Keweenaw-Ontonagon-Northern Houghton-Baraga-Marquette-Alger-Luce- Gogebic-Iron-Dickinson-Menominee-Delta-Southern Schoolcraft- Southern Houghton-Northern Schoolcraft- 324 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 /224 PM CDT Fri Aug 2 2019/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western Upper Michigan and central Upper Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight Scattered thunderstorms are possible this evening. Some of the stronger storms could contain small hail and gusty winds to 35 mph along with brief heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Isolated Thunderstorms are possible Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon over mainly the west half interior of Upper Michigan. Thunderstorms are possible Monday into Monday evening across much of Upper Michigan. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this time. LSZ162-240>251-263>267-031200- Lake Superior west of a line from Saxon Harbor WI to Grand Portage MN beyond 5NM-Saxon Harbor WI to Black River MI- Black River to Ontonagon MI- Ontonagon to Upper Entrance of Portage Canal MI- Upper Entrance of Portage Canal to Eagle River MI- Eagle River to Manitou Island MI- Manitou Island to Point Isabelle MI- Point Isabelle to Lower Entrance of Portage Canal MI- Lower Entrance of Portage Canal To Huron Islands MI Including Keweenaw and Huron Bays-Huron Islands to Marquette MI- Marquette to Munising MI-Munising to Grand Marais MI- Grand Marais to Whitefish Point MI- Lake Superior from Saxon Harbor WI to Upper Entrance to Portage Canal MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian border including Isle Royale National Park- Lake Superior from Upper Entrance to Portage Canal to Manitou Island MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian Border- Lake Superior West of Line from Manitou Island to Marquette MI Beyond 5NM from shore- Lake Superior East of a line from Manitou Island to Marquette MI and West of a line from Grand Marais MI to the US/Canadian Border Beyond 5NM from shore- Lake Superior from Grand Marais MI to Whitefish Point MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian border- 324 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 /224 PM CDT Fri Aug 2 2019/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Eastern Lake Superior...Central Lake Superior and Western Lake Superior. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated thunderstorms are possible across the western half of Lake Superior this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Thunderstorms are possible again Sunday night into Monday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this time. LMZ221-248-250-031200- Green Bay North of line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Seul Choix Point to Point Detour MI- 5NM East of a line from Fairport MI to Rock Island Passage- 324 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Northern Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated thunderstorms are possible into this evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday Thunderstorms are possible again Monday into Monday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this time. 07
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Marquette MI 215 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 MIZ002-009-021845- Ontonagon MI-Gogebic MI- 215 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019 ...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT... At 215 PM EDT/115 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11 miles east of Marenisco, or 31 miles south of Ontonagon, moving southeast at 15 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Paulding. LAT...LON 4639 8962 4653 8945 4639 8910 4618 8933 TIME...MOT...LOC 1815Z 309DEG 12KT 4642 8946 KCW
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Marquette MI
229 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
MIZ005-021900-
Marquette MI-
229 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 228 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Marquette, moving southeast at 15 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Marquette, Presque Isle, Harvey, Trowbridge Park and Beaver Grove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4644 8733 4657 8748 4668 8739 4664 8729
4657 8726 4658 8716
TIME...MOT...LOC 1828Z 312DEG 11KT 4657 8740
KCWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Marquette MI
249 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
MIZ005-006-021915-
Marquette MI-Alger MI-
249 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 249 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southwest of Deerton, or 17 miles southeast of Marquette,
moving southeast at 15 mph.
Pea size hail and heavy rainfall will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Chatham, Skandia, Laughing Whitefish Falls, Forest Lake, Sundell,
Eben Junction, Kiva, Diffin, Carlshend and Traunik.
LAT...LON 4635 8728 4643 8718 4635 8680 4615 8703
4616 8706
TIME...MOT...LOC 1849Z 304DEG 13KT 4635 8716
JAWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Marquette MI
256 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
MIZ007-085-021930-
Northern Schoolcraft MI-Luce MI-
256 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 256 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Seney, or 19 miles south of Grand Marais, moving east at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and heavy rainfall will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Seney and Manistique Lake.
LAT...LON 4624 8577 4624 8581 4636 8609 4646 8604
4644 8569
TIME...MOT...LOC 1856Z 283DEG 16KT 4639 8599
JAWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Marquette MI
207 PM CDT Fri Aug 2 2019
MIZ010-021945-
Iron MI-
207 PM CDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 207 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles south of Sidnaw, or 18 miles north of Iron River, moving east
at 20 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Amasa around 245 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Gibbs City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.
&&
LAT...LON 4628 8889 4642 8882 4642 8863 4637 8833
4612 8847
TIME...MOT...LOC 1907Z 291DEG 19KT 4634 8875
07Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Marquette MI
317 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
MIZ005-006-021945-
Marquette MI-Alger MI-
317 PM EDT Fri Aug 2 2019
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 317 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles east of K. I. Sawyer Airport, or 15 miles southeast of
Marquette, moving southeast at 15 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of east central
Marquette and southwestern Alger Counties, including the following
locations... Skandia, Laughing Whitefish Falls, Sundell, Eben
Junction and Kiva.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4636 8737 4648 8717 4630 8685 4615 8709
4616 8718
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 318DEG 14KT 4637 8721
07The Marquette radar (KMQT), 63 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:49 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
There was a public report of a tree down near Felch.
There was a report via social media of a large tree down at Lake View Cemetery in Calumet. Time of the report was estimated from radar.
There was a report via social media of large branches of tall maple trees down in the front yard of a home in Calumet. The time of the report was estimated from radar.
Law enforcement dispatch reported a power line down at the intersection of 9th Street and Calumet Street in Lake Linden.
There was a report via social media of pea to grape sized hail in Marquette.
There was a social media report of multiple trees down along Pine Street in Gwinn. Time of the report was estimated from radar.
A media partner shared a report of huge trees down in a park, and trees laying across a road in Gladstone. Time of the report was estimated from radar.
A media partner reported trees down at the Michigan State Police parking lot in Gladstone. Time of the report was estimated from radar.
There was a social media report of roll-out boat dock flipped and twisted. A boat was also damaged as it was lifted onto the underside of the twisted dock. The time of the report was estimated from radar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Michigan in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Michigan, August 2019
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: 848872, 848877, 848875, 848870, 848871, 848876, 848873, 848874, 848879.