There were numerous reports of downed trees, tree limbs and power lines in association with severe thunderstorms. One concentrated area of damaging wind gusts occurred across eastern Ottawa county, while another area of damage occurred from near Battle Creek northeast to Lansing.
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.
There were numerous reports of downed trees, tree limbs and power lines in association with severe thunderstorms. One concentrated area of damaging wind gusts occurred across eastern Ottawa county, while another area of damage occurred from near Battle Creek northeast to Lansing.
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 24, 2:35 PM EST, 2 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
335 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021
LATEST UPDATE...
Synopsis/Discussion/Marine
.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 330PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021
- Severe storms possible this afternoon and early evening
- Several rounds of showers and storms midweek
&&
.DISCUSSION...(This evening through next Saturday)
Issued at 330 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021
-- Severe storms possible this afternoon and early evening --
Scattered thunderstorms are likely with the strongest storms
probable between 4 to 6 pm. Severe weather from damaging winds is
possible in this timeframe. Due to this threat a severe
thunderstorm watch has been issued.
Storms will form along a boundary moving from the northwest
moving across southwest Michigan, continuing through the early
evening hours.
Daytime temperatures in the 80s with dewpoints in the 70s has
created a warm moist environment which is conducive for
convection. Along with this is strong southerly flow that is
gusting upwards of 25kts. This southerly flow will feed into the
upper level northwesterly flow further enhancing instability this
afternoon. Storms that have previously moved along the US 10
corridor have mixed up air. However as successive bands move
through lower Michigan into the unstable air mass these storms
could rapidly intensify.
Strong DCAPE along with decent helicity, along with
decent mid level lapse rates makes damaging winds the main threat
with an isolated tornado or two possible.
The main front remains further to the northwest near the U.P and
Wisconsin so several lines of storms remain possible into the
early evening hours.
- Several rounds of showers and storms midweek --
An upper level ridge will build over the region in the wake of
this system with strong mid and upper level flow Tuesday through
Thursday. This will create an environment conducive to organized
convection. Highs in the mid to upper 80s through the week will
only enhances this possibility. Have increased chance of POPs
through this timeframe. The best chances as of now are Tuesday and
Thursday where two elongated waves will be diving down over the
semipermanent high pressure that will build over the intermountain
west this week. As a result we will continue to feature this risk
in the hazardous weather outlook.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Sunday afternoon)
Issued at 156 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021
Mainly VFR conditions prevailing currently although there are a
few areas of 4-6sm vsbys in haze/smoke. Southwest winds gusting
to 20-25 kts at times.
A relatively narrow broken band of showers and tstms is expected
to drift southward through southern Lower Michigan between
roughly 20Z and 02Z, impacting any given location/terminal for no
more than two hours. Since a few strong/severe storms are
possible, a local gust over 40 kts cannot be ruled out as the
storms pass through a terminal.
Skies clearing out behind the storms later tonight, leading to
areas of radiational fog developing with light winds. IFR vsbys
are certainly possible after midnight, and some local LIFR can't
totally be ruled out either.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 330 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021
Whitecaps at multiple beaches with 3 to 5 foot waves as the
persistent winds continue through the daytime. Highest waves will
be at and north of Holland and will continue through the afternoon
and through 8 pm. Storms will continue to move through Lake
Michigan and will move through nearshore waters this afternoon and
evening. Damaging winds are possible with these storms.
Visibility will be reduced due to intermittent dense fog with
smoky haze along the shore line due to the warm water temps and
the sfc dewpoints in the low 70s. The smokey haze is due from the
wildfires out west. Expect patchy fog overnight and into Sunday
morning. Winds and waves will subside Sunday morning with fair
skies.
&&
.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for MIZ037-
043-050-056.
LM...Dense Fog Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for LMZ844>849.
Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for LMZ846>849.
&&
SYNOPSIS...Ceru
DISCUSSION...Ceru
AVIATION...Meade
MARINE...CeruHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 412 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021 MIZ039-040-044>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074-252015- Osceola-Clare-Newaygo-Mecosta-Isabella-Muskegon-Montcalm-Gratiot- Ottawa-Kent-Ionia-Clinton-Allegan-Barry-Eaton-Ingham-Van Buren- Kalamazoo-Calhoun-Jackson- 412 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the chance of severe storms. The main threat is damaging winds upwards of 70 mph with a couple of tornadoes possible. In addition frequent lightning and locally heavy downpours will accompany the strongest storms. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Additional thunderstorms are possible Tuesday and Wednesday night into Thursday. The storms Wednesday night into Thursday could be strong. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... LMZ844>849-252015- 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- 412 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Hazardous swim and boating conditions will continue with visibilities reduced from dense fog and smokey haze. Severe thunderstorms with winds over 50 knots and large hail are possible into this evening. In addition the lightning could be frequent. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Thunderstorms may pose a risk to mariners starting late Monday night and continuing into Wednesday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... MIZ037-038-043-252015- Mason-Lake-Oceana- 412 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Lower Michigan. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms remain possible this afternoon and evening. The strongest of which could be strong to severe. The main threat is damaging winds and locally heavy downpours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Additional thunderstorms are possible Tuesday and Wednesday night into Thursday. The storms Wednesday night into Thursday could be strong. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 1230 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021 MIZ038>040-241730- Osceola-Lake-Clare- 1230 PM EDT Sat Jul 24 2021 ...A DEVELOPING LINE OF SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CLARE...OSCEOLA... AND LAKE COUNTIES... At 1230 PM EDT, radar indicated showers with heavy downpours located along a line extending from Irons to Baldwin. Movement was east at 45 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible as these showers organize and strengthen while moving east. Lightning strikes may also become possible if the showers develop into thunderstorms. Locations impacted include... Clare... Evart... Baldwin... Reed City... Marion... Farwell... Luther... Harrison... Highland... Chase... Lake... Hersey... Le Roy... Tustin... Nirvana... Idlewild... Lake George... Ashton... Bristol... Avondale... Be prepared to move to shelter when the showers or storms approach. LAT...LON 4416 8461 4382 8461 4381 8603 4417 8604 TIME...MOT...LOC 1623Z 274DEG 44KT 4417 8594 4384 8605 CAS
The Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 54 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:49 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across portions of Ottawa county.
Several trees and tree limbs were blown down.
Several trees and power lines were blown down across portions of Eaton county.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Michigan in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Michigan, July 2021
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: 970570, 970571, 970572.