Tornado and Damaging Winds in Michigan, April 15 to 16, 2026

Name: Tornado and Damaging Winds in Michigan, April 15 to 16, 2026
Start: 2026-04-15T00:04
End: 2026-04-16T00:04
Location: Michigan

April 15 to 16, 2026 · NWS IWX · 3 events in 1 county or zone

An area of thunderstorm moves across far southern Lower Michigan during the early morning hours of April 15th. A brief tornado has been confirmed south of Coldwater, MI with details outlined below.

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: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 3

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 IWX wrote it up.

An area of thunderstorm moves across far southern Lower Michigan during the early morning hours of April 15th. A brief tornado has been confirmed south of Coldwater, MI with details outlined below. We wish to thank Branch County Emergency Management for their assistance with this survey.

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 Northern Indiana wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 14, 11:57 PM EST, 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue through today, though the potential for severe weather remains uncertain with intensity dependent on how previous activity evolves.
Additional chances for showers and thunderstorms exist Thursday through Saturday, with potential for severe weather dependent on the previous thunderstorm activity.
A Flood Watch remains in effect through this evening as swaths of locally heavy rain is expected on already saturated grounds and high river and lake levels.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 14, 11:57 PM EST, 7 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1257 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue
  through today, though the potential for severe weather remains
  uncertain with intensity dependent on how previous activity
  evolves.

- Additional chances for showers and thunderstorms exist
  Thursday through Saturday, with potential for severe weather
  dependent on the previous thunderstorm activity.

- A Flood Watch remains in effect through this evening as swaths
  of locally heavy rain is expected on already saturated grounds
  and high river and lake levels.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1257 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

While a primary trough will lift out of the Rockies into the
central plains over the coming 12-18 hours, multiple embedded
waves ahead of this trough through the active flow aloft will
continue to produce periods of shower and thunderstorm activity
across the region today. Forecast soundings depict fairly
saturated atmospheric profiles with precipitable water values
exceeding 1.2-1.4 inches, which will aid in producing heavy
rainfall rates with any thunderstorm that develops. A Flood
Watch remains in effect through this evening for the northern
half of the forecast area given the potential for heavy rain,
though a flooding threat cannot be ruled out further south.

The severe thunderstorm threat remains complicated today with
instability looking more difficult to come by as early morning
convective debris and intermittent shower activity will limit
CAPE values. That said, strong mid- level flow with 40-50 knots
of 0-6km shear will be more than sufficient for organized
convection if adequate surface heating and subsequent
destabilization occurs. For now the severe threat today looks
conditional but worth watching.

A sharper trough moves through the area on Thursday bringing
additional chances for showers and thunderstorms. Strong shear
and adequate instability should bring another day of at least a
marginal severe threat. Attention will then turn to the likely
arrival of a much deeper trough by this weekend, which has
triggered an early highlight by SPC for severe weather potential
on Saturday. A sharp cool-down and gusty winds behind the
associated cold front is likely on Sunday, with a moderation in
temperatures through the first half of next week.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1257 AM EDT Wed Apr 15 2026

A line of strong SHRA/TSRA with wind gusts 40-50 kts/CIGS 015-025k
ft AGL/VSBY 1-3SM extending from SRN Lake Michigan across SRN MI
early this morning will drift south into NRN IN through 15/12Z
impacting, the terminals at KSBN (between 15/04-07Z) and KFWA
(between 15/06-09Z). Although there will be a lull in thunderstorms
impacting northern IN between 15/12-16Z, MVFR conditions will return
with another round of SHRA/TSRA expanding in coverage and intensity
across the area from west-to-east Wednesday afternoon.

&&

.IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...Flood Watch through Wednesday evening for INZ005>009-012-014-
     103-104-116-203-204-216.
OH...Flood Watch through Wednesday evening for OHZ001-002-004-005.
MI...Flood Watch through Wednesday evening for MIZ078>081-177-277.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Edwards
AVIATION...Rasmussen

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 14, 10:45 PM EST, 1 hour 19 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1145 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

INZ005>007-103-104-203-204-MIZ078>081-177-277-160345-
Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Northern La Porte-Eastern St. Joseph IN-
Southern La Porte-Western St. Joseph IN-Cass MI-St. Joseph MI-Branch-
Hillsdale-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
1145 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026 /1045 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026/

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...
...TORNADO WATCH 113 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT /3 AM CDT/ WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana and
southwest Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.
   Tornado Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

There are chances of thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday, and then
again Friday night and Saturday. Isolated severe storms are possible
Wednesday and Thursday with better chances arriving Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

INZ008-009-012-014-116-216-OHZ001-002-004-005-160345-
Noble-De Kalb-Starke-Marshall-Northern Kosciusko-Southern Kosciusko-
Williams-Fulton OH-Defiance-Henry-
1145 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026 /1045 PM CDT Tue Apr 14 2026/

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana and
northwest Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Thunderstorms are expected late this evening into Wednesday morning.

Storms may be severe with large hail, damaging winds, and isolated
tornadoes all possible.

Heavy rainfall is forecasted across much of the area with swaths of
locally higher amounts possibly leading to renewed flood concerns.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

There are chances of thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday, and then
again Friday night and Saturday. Isolated severe storms are possible
Wednesday and Thursday with better chances arriving Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

INZ013-015-017-018-020-022>027-032>034-OHZ015-016-024-025-160345-
Pulaski-Fulton IN-Whitley-Allen IN-White-Cass IN-Miami-Wabash-
Huntington-Wells-Adams-Grant-Blackford-Jay-Paulding-Putnam-Van Wert-
Allen OH-
1145 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northern Indiana and
northwest Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Thunderstorms are possible early Wednesday morning. Storms may be
severe with large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes all
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

There are chances of thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday, and then
again Friday night and Saturday. Isolated severe storms are possible
Wednesday and Thursday with better chances arriving Saturday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

LMZ043-046-160345-
New Buffalo MI to St Joseph MI-Michigan City IN to New Buffalo MI-
1145 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

...TORNADO WATCH 113 IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the nearshore waters of
southeastern Lake Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Tornado Watch.

Additional thunderstorms are expected tonight that may produce hail
and wind gusts in excess of 40 knots.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

There are continued chances of thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday,
and then again late Friday.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 14, 6:13 PM EST, 5 hours 51 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
713 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

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

0704 PM     Hail             1 S Montpelier          40.54N 85.28W
04/14/2026  M1.00 Inch       Blackford          IN   Public

&&

MCS

Special weather statement, Apr 14, 6:17 PM EST, 5 hours 47 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
717 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

OHZ016-024-025-150000-
Allen OH-Putnam OH-Van Wert OH-
717 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN PUTNAM...EAST
CENTRAL VAN WERT AND ALLEN COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM EDT...

At 717 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Elida, or near Delphos, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lima, Delphos, Bluffton, Fort Shawnee, Spencerville, Columbus Grove,
Elida, Spencerville In Allen County, Cairo, Fort Jennings, Harrod,
Beaverdam, Westminster, Yoder, Gomer, Rushmore, Rimer, Conant,
Vaughnsville, and Hume.

This includes Interstate 75 between mile markers 119 and 141.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
west central Ohio.

&&

LAT...LON 4064 8411 4066 8411 4066 8422 4069 8422
      4069 8438 4091 8439 4091 8388 4065 8388
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 270DEG 39KT 4077 8426

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

CR

Local storm report, Apr 14, 6:34 PM EST, 5 hours 30 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
734 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

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

0733 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NNE Southworth        40.77N 84.34W
04/14/2026  M65 MPH          Allen              OH   Public

&&

MCS

Local storm report, Apr 14, 6:48 PM EST, 5 hours 16 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
748 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

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

0739 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 WNW Westminster       40.71N 84.02W
04/14/2026  M62 MPH          Allen              OH   AWOS

            AWOS station KAOH 2 WNW Westminster.

&&

MCS

Local storm report, Apr 14, 8:54 PM EST, 3 hours 10 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
954 PM EDT Tue Apr 14 2026

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

0733 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     1 NNE Southworth        40.77N 84.34W
04/14/2026  M65 MPH          Allen              OH   Public

0739 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 WNW Westminster       40.71N 84.02W
04/14/2026  M62 MPH          Allen              OH   AWOS

            AWOS station KAOH 2 WNW Westminster.

0542 PM     Hail             2 WSW Wawpecong         40.57N 86.07W
04/14/2026  M1.25 Inch       Miami              IN   Public

0556 PM     Hail             3 S Santa Fe            40.62N 85.99W
04/14/2026  M1.25 Inch       Miami              IN   Public

0535 PM     Hail             3 N Palestine           41.22N 85.96W
04/14/2026  M1.50 Inch       Kosciusko          IN   Amateur Radio

0550 PM     Hail             2 ENE Warsaw            41.25N 85.81W
04/14/2026  M1.00 Inch       Kosciusko          IN   Public

0622 PM     Hail             2 NW Marion             40.56N 85.69W
04/14/2026  M1.00 Inch       Grant              IN   Amateur Radio

0624 PM     Hail             2 S Marion              40.52N 85.66W
04/14/2026  M1.75 Inch       Grant              IN   Public

0627 PM     Hail             2 N Marion              40.58N 85.66W
04/14/2026  M1.50 Inch       Grant              IN   Trained Spotter

0458 PM     Hail             4 NNE Dunkirk           40.81N 86.37W
04/14/2026  M1.75 Inch       Cass               IN   Emergency Mngr

            golf ball size hail.

0542 PM     Hail             Galveston               40.58N 86.19W
04/14/2026  M0.75 Inch       Cass               IN   Trained Spotter

0704 PM     Hail             1 S Montpelier          40.54N 85.28W
04/14/2026  M1.00 Inch       Blackford          IN   Public

&&

The radar

The Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 84 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:02 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Tornado, Branch

When: April 15, 12:04 AM EST to 12:07 AM EST
Where: Branch County, 3.3 mi N of Coldwater Lake to 3.1 mi NE of Coldwater Lake
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.59 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.897, -84.990

A survey of damage south of Coldwater Michigan indicates that a circulation may have attempted to touch down on Sanford Rd, north of Fenn Road where a barn suffered damage with debris thrown to the east, impacting portions of a solar farm with some damage to panels. A few tree tops showed some minor damage from Sanford Rd|to near Interstate 69 where it appears the circulation finally touched down at a business on the southeast side of the Interstate, causing damage to a pole barn on the property. It continued southeast causing tree damage until reaching the area of|Dubendorf and Quimby Road where a garage lost its roof, trees were blown down and vinyl fencing around a pool was blown down. The tornado then impacted a pole barn on South Wood Rd, throwing the debris well east into the field before lifting. Maximum wind speeds were estimated in the 85 to 90 mph range.

Thunderstorm Wind, Branch

When: April 16, 12:00 AM EST to 12:01 AM EST
Where: Branch County, 1.77 mi NNE of Lackwood
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.904, -85.040

An older barn suffered extensive damage with most of the debris left on the property. Smaller items and roofing was thrown to the east just across Sanford Rd. Several solar panels on the west side of the barn were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Branch

When: April 16, 12:03 AM EST to 12:04 AM EST
Where: Branch County, 2.8 mi SE of Coldwater Arpt
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.907, -85.005

Photo on Facebook of tree down onto part of a house.

What these are

Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Michigan in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Michigan, 2026 Warnings in Michigan, April 2026

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: 1331629, 1334381, 1334383.