Isolated reports of wind damage were reported due to isolated severe storms affecting Muskegon and Oceana counties during the late evening hours of August 7th.
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.
Isolated reports of wind damage were reported due to isolated severe storms affecting Muskegon and Oceana counties during the late evening hours of August 7th.
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 Aug 7, 9:01 PM EST, 39 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 1001 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 LATEST UPDATE... Mesoscale Discussion .MESOSCALE DISCUSSION... Issued at 1002 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 Looking at the latest water vapor image loops it is clear there is a significant amount of upper level divergence over eastern Lake Michigan. The northern stream is aimed at Lake Superior while the southern stream diverges into Indiana. This will continue to support a low level jet core that will remain over central Lake Michigan over the next few hours while it slowly sinks south. Most of the strongest storms have been just north of this jet core this evening. I would expect this to continue for several more hours. The 1000/850 moisture transport from the RAP model shows the focus of the moisture transport slowly sinking south along the lake shore with a segement of it moving inland after midnight but the core of it remains over Lake Michigan through 4 am, by then it is focused on our the southwestern most sections of Lower Michigan. I still believe the storms will continue through night as the line of storms slowly sinks south. The effect bulk shear stays just below 30 knots so severe storms will be limited but gusts to 30 to 50 mph are not out of the question near the lake shore. && .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 814 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 - Thunderstorms will impact most of our western and central CWA tonight with some stronger storms possible, area west of US-131 have the greatest risk of stronger storms. Most area north of I-94 should see some rain overnight. - Cooler and drier conditions return on Thursday and last into the weekend - Little to no chance of rain through the weekend after tonight && .DISCUSSION...(This evening through next Wednesday) Issued at 235 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 Our main focus of the forecast is on convective trends through tonight, and severe weather chances. The overall scenario has not changed much over the last 24 hours, with convection likely for most areas tonight, but only isolated severe weather possible for Lower Michigan. Convection has been a little ahead of schedule over Northern Wisconsin this afternoon. It appears a 25+ knot low level jet is helping to form a few storms up there. We believe that the forcing with the low level jet will keep this convection north of our area as it moves almost due east. The convection we will be interested in is starting to form over NW Wisconsin and NE Minnesota this afternoon. This convection is closer to the cold front that will be moving over the area late this evening and overnight tonight. The convection will be strongest over Wisconsin where the front will move through during peak heating. The Convective Allowing Models are in general agreement that the line will approach the NW corner of the area toward Ludington after about 9 pm, and then move SE through the area through the overnight hours. By the time the front arrives, diurnal instability will be on the wane here. However, forecast soundings indicate that lingering instability based at 1-2k ft above the night time surface inversion will be sufficient to sustain at least scattered to broken convection ahead of the incoming front, and mid level short wave which will approach after midnight. We are in good agreement with the SPC Day 1 outlook of a Marginal chance of severe weather focused on our NW counties. The lingering storms coming out of Wisconsin later this evening will slowly weaken as they move SE later into the night with the loss of better low level diurnal instability. As mentioned, there is a decent low level inversion that develops toward dark and beyond, limiting the potential of winds making it to the surface. It still will be possible, with forecast soundings indicating over 1,000 J/kg of downdraft CAPE. Can not rule out some marginally severe large hail, but mid level lapse rates around 6.0 C/km and thinner CAPE profiles in the -10 to -30C layer will limit hail size a bit. Once the front clears the area Thu morning, we should gradually clear out the clouds and somewhat humid conditions. Temperatures will be a bit tempered with the NW flow ushering in cooler Canadian air. The remainder of the period through next Wednesday looks fairly quiet and cooler, with little to no chances of rainfall. The amplified upper air pattern by summer standards will hold much of the period. Lower Michigan will be under the influence of NW flow which will keep things from heating up too much. We will be just far enough away from the jet axis much of the time to limit impactful systems moving through. The threat of rain is not zero as a model or two tries to break down the pattern, and brings systems through Sunday and Tuesday. The more likely scenario is drier weather given the pattern we are locked into with the amplified upper flow pattern. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Thursday evening) Issued at 652 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 Based on the latest radar loops and knowing we have a decent upper wave and surface cold front coming through tonight and there is an organized low level jet, I believe all TAF sites will see rain tonight. Even more than that the latest SPC SREF shows a very good change thunderstorms will make it across all of Lower Michigan between 03z and 09z. So I put that in all of the TAFs. The greatest risk is for the I-96 TAF sites where I have lower visibilities and ceilings in the TAF as the convective line moves through the area. I did not play MVFR cigs behind the front since I am on the fence with that but some the model guidance suggest this is a good possibility. No matter what skies should clear by midday Thursday. It will be breezy Thursday with winds of 15 to 25 knots as the cold air comes in. && .MARINE... Issued at 235 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 We are not issuing any marine headlines with this forecast package, however we are monitoring for a possible need for headlines tonight and again on Thursday. Winds will come up a little tonight immediately ahead of the incoming front. Indications are right now that winds and waves will end up just short of criteria for an advisory. If future trends indicate an upward trend, a headline will be needed. Same thing goes for Thursday in the wake of the front. High pressure building in will push winds and wave close to criteria, but not quite enough at this time to warrant an advisory. After Thursday, conditions looks fairly benign then through the next few days with quiet weather expected. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. LM...None. && MESOSCALE...WDM SYNOPSIS...WDM DISCUSSION...NJJ AVIATION...WDM MARINE...NJJ
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 1029 AM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 MIZ037>040-043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074-080815- Mason-Lake-Osceola-Clare-Oceana-Newaygo-Mecosta-Isabella-Muskegon- Montcalm-Gratiot-Ottawa-Kent-Ionia-Clinton-Allegan-Barry-Eaton- Ingham-Van Buren-Kalamazoo-Calhoun-Jackson- 1029 AM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are expected tonight along and ahead of a cold frontal passage. Storms are expected to remain below severe levels. The strongest storms tonight will be capable of wind gusts to around 45 mph, locally heavy rain and cloud to ground lightning strikes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed. LMZ844>849-080815- 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- 1029 AM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Thunderstorms are possible over Lake Michigan tonight. Winds to 45 mph and cloud to water lightning strikes will be the main threats. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Waves may build into the 2 to 4 foot range Thursday afternoon resulting in a moderate swim risk. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed. DUKE NJJ
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 825 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 MIZ037-038-043-044-050-080230- Mason-Lake-Oceana-Newaygo-Muskegon- Including the cities of Ludington, Baldwin, Hart, Fremont, and Muskegon 825 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019 An area of strong thunderstorms will continue to move east southeast bringing the threat of wind gusts to 50 mph, hail to 3/4 of an inch, locally heavy rain and frequent cloud to ground lighting through 1030 pm this evening. Locations west of US-131 have the greatest risk of stronger winds and larger hail. wdm
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI
904 PM EDT WED AUG 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0840 PM TSTM WND GST 8 NNW LUDINGTON 44.06N 86.51W
08/07/2019 M44 MPH MASON MI MESONET
BIG SABLE POINT (SITE BSBM4) MEASURED WIND
GUST.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI
934 PM EDT WED AUG 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0930 PM HEAVY RAIN 8 NNE LUDINGTON 44.07N 86.40W
08/07/2019 M1.01 INCH MASON MI MESONET
UPPER HAMLIN LAKE HAS HAD 1.01 INCHES OF
RAIN IN ONE HOUR. THE RAIN BEGAN AT 8:30 PM
THIS EVENING.
&&
WDMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI
938 PM EDT WED AUG 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0935 PM HEAVY RAIN 6 NNE LUDINGTON 44.04N 86.42W
08/07/2019 M1.80 INCH MASON MI MESONET
THE RAIN STARTED AROUND 7:30 PM THIS
EVENING. THERE WAS 1.24 INCHES IN A HALF
HOUR.
&&
WDMPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI
945 PM EDT WED AUG 7 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0910 PM MARINE TSTM WIND 6 W LUDINGTON 43.97N 86.56W
08/07/2019 E42 MPH LMZ849 MI BUOY
THE LUDINGTON BUOY HAD A WIND GUST TO 42 MPH
FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 910 PM THIS EVENING.
&&
WDMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1040 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019
MIZ043-044-050-080345-
Oceana-Muskegon-Newaygo-
1040 PM EDT Wed Aug 7 2019
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT NEWAYGO...MUSKEGON AND
OCEANA COUNTIES...
At 1038 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Pentwater to Mears to near Stony
Lake. Movement was southeast at 25 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Muskegon... Hart... Newaygo...
White Cloud... Shelby... Muskegon Heights...
Fremont... Roosevelt Park... North Muskegon...
Whitehall... Montague... Lakewood Club...
Hesperia... Grant... Mears SP...
Silver Lake SP... Norton Shores... Dalton...
Holton... Bridgeton...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
cause 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.
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
these storms pass.
LAT...LON 4368 8653 4375 8646 4381 8643 4381 8606
4364 8559 4331 8578 4312 8627 4332 8640
4350 8647 4362 8654
TIME...MOT...LOC 0238Z 305DEG 22KT 4383 8633 4366 8643 4355 8658
DUKEThe Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 106 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:37 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The public reported that a healthy tree was uprooted and a fence was blown down and a camper top was blown 30 feet off of the camper.
A peak wind gust of 62 mph was reported.
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: 845616, 845615.