Damaging Winds in Michigan, May 18, 2026

Name: Damaging Winds in Michigan, May 18, 2026
Start: 2026-05-18T12:41
End: 2026-05-18T15:17
Location: Michigan

May 18, 2026 · NWS GRR · 53 events in 16 counties and zones

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms moved across Lower Michigan on Monday, May 18th. These storms brought strong and damaging winds, which resulted in wind damage and a large number of power outages.

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: 53

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 GRR wrote it up.

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 Grand Rapids, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 18, 9:56 AM EST, 2 hours 45 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Slight Risk for Severe Storms Today
Slight Risk for Severe Storms on Tuesday
Drier and cooler mid to late week

Area forecast discussion, May 18, 9:56 AM EST, 2 hours 45 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1056 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Slight Risk for Severe Storms Today

- Slight Risk for Severe Storms on Tuesday

- Drier and cooler mid to late week

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1055 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026

Updated the POPs/Weather grids to better pin down timing of the
line of convection expected to come through this afternoon with
the greatest coverage and chances for severe winds/hail across
roughly the southern half of the forecast area. Also lowered POPs
for tonight as we expect a lull in the convection before more
storms arrive Tuesday afternoon.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 400 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026

- Slight Risk for Severe Storms Today

The storm prediction center has placed Southwest Lower Michigan in
a slight risk for severe weather today. Clouds and showers will
try to press in from the west this morning which will decrease
somewhat how much we can destabilize. 500mb flow will be
weakening as we move through the day as well which is another
negative factor with regard to severe weather chances. What we
are watching though is the chance that the current activity
redevelops or regenerates over our area after about noon (this is
seen in the HREF). We feel that between roughly 100pm and 700pm
there is chance for severe weather, especially south and east of a
line from Whitehall to Clare (so the bulk of the area). An item
of note in the HREF is the 850mb low level jet ramps up during the
afternoon to 40-45 knots. The LLJ increase is seen most for areas
near and southeast of GRR including AZO, LAN and JXN. These areas
stand the best chance at some damaging winds this afternoon and
evening. The Nadocast machine learning website also sees wind as
our biggest threat today over our southeast half of the forecast
area. There is a chance for some scattered storms tonight, but
nothing that looks widespread.

- Slight Risk for Severe Storms on Tuesday

Another slight risk for severe storms is in place for Tuesday over
the southeast CWA. The setup is similar in that decaying showers
and storms will move in during the morning with a threat of
redevelopment over our area in the afternoon. Tomorrow's threat
though looks more confined to the southeast CWA, essentially a
smaller threat area including AZO, LAN and JXN. Today we have some
threat outside of those areas, but tomorrow (Tuesday) the best
chances may very much be confined to those areas. Deep layer shear
on Monday is 25-35 knots and Tuesday that increases to 30-40
knots. So some storm organization is possible especially with
Tuesday's threat. Again though, the morning clouds and showers may
dampen our threat a bit.

- Drier and cooler mid to late week

The cold front will sweep through the forecast area Tuesday
evening. Much drier air will invade from the north with PWAT
values plummeting from 1.7 inches Tuesday morning which is off the
chart for this time of year to less than 0.5 inches on Wednesday.
It will be noticeably cooler with highs in the 60s Wednesday and
Thursday. Wednesday night we are likely looking at frost across
Central Lower Michigan.

Another systems looks to bring some rain out towards Friday, but
the models have had difficulty coming to a consensus. The trend
though looks to be towards rain on Friday.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 647 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026

Very little change in thinking from overnight. We are expecting a
broken line of showers and thunderstorms to move into Western
Lower Michigan between 14z and 17z. These will largely be in a
weak state. Re-intensification will take place around 17z however
with a line of showers and storms then expected to push eastward
through the TAF sites. Have VCTS in the TAFs now, but we expect
at least scattered activity to affect the TAF sites between 17z
and 23z. All sites will largely stay VFR today outside of some
brief reductions in visibility and ceiling associated with a storm
affecting any one TAF site.

Winds will ramp up considerably in the next hour or two (or by 13z
to 14z), with SSW winds from 190-210 running at 15-30 knots much
of the day.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 400 AM EDT Mon May 18 2026

We have extended the Small Craft Advisory both in time and areal
extent. The SCA now runs through Tuesday for all zone. The
southern two zones, south of Holland, begin tonight. Strong
southerly winds will continue both today and Tuesday as we remain
east of the cold front the bulk of that time. South winds of 15 to
25 knots look common with waves of 3 to 6 feet. The SCA may need
to be extended into Tuesday night for a period of stronger
northwest winds behind the cold frontal passage.

&&

.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 2 AM to 8 PM EDT Tuesday for LMZ844-
     845.
     Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Tuesday for LMZ846>849.

&&

UPDATE...Ostuno
DISCUSSION...Duke
AVIATION...Duke
MARINE...Duke

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 18, 11:46 AM EST, 55 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1246 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026

MIZ037-038-043-044-181745-
Oceana MI-Lake MI-Newaygo MI-Mason MI-
1246 PM EDT Mon May 18 2026

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern
Newaygo, northeastern Oceana, Lake, and Mason Counties through 145
PM EDT...

At 1245 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking developing thunderstorms
from around Free Soil to Custer to 10 miles north of Hesperia.
Movement was northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Baldwin...             Scottville...          Luther...
Fountain...            Free Soil...           Colfax...
Custer...              Walkerville...         Woodland Park...
Nirvana...             Big Star Lake...       Wolf Lake...
Idlewild...            Irons...               Walhalla...
Bristol...             Sauble Lakes...        Bitely...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, seek shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4416 8598 4417 8557 4398 8556 4365 8590
      4359 8600 4358 8609 4386 8624 4406 8640
      4418 8635
TIME...MOT...LOC 1643Z 210DEG 45KT 4404 8635 4390 8622 4371 8610

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

CAS

The radar

The Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 79 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:43 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

53 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Buren

When: May 18, 12:41 PM EST
Where: Van Buren County, 0.69 mi N of Cableton
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 42.410, -86.250

Gust measured at South Haven.

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Buren

When: May 18, 12:54 PM EST
Where: Van Buren County, 1.02 mi W of Paw Paw
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.220, -85.900

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across Van Buren County. Time estimated via radar.

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Buren

When: May 18, 1:01 PM EST
Where: Van Buren County, 1.72 mi NE of Berlamont
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.400, -85.980

Trees down across 44th St by 6th Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allegan

When: May 18, 1:10 PM EST
Where: Allegan County, Allegan
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.530, -85.850

Power out with large branches down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ottawa

When: May 18, 1:10 PM EST
Where: Ottawa County, 1.01 mi E of Hudsonville
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.870, -85.860

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across southern Ottawa County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kalamazoo

When: May 18, 1:12 PM EST
Where: Kalamazoo County, 0.86 mi SE of Blownell
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 42.310, -85.640

Multiple large healthy trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kalamazoo

When: May 18, 1:18 PM EST
Where: Kalamazoo County, 0.51 mi W of East Cooper
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.350, -85.560

Large tree branches snapped with some wires down due to a broken power pole.

Thunderstorm Wind, Allegan

When: May 18, 1:20 PM EST
Where: Allegan County, Dorr
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.730, -85.720

Numerous downed large tree branches.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kalamazoo

When: May 18, 1:20 PM EST
Where: Kalamazoo County, (Azo)kalamazoo Arpt
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.230, -85.550

Kalamazoo ASOS measured gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barry

When: May 18, 1:22 PM EST
Where: Barry County, 2.07 mi N of Doster
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.500, -85.530

Large tree limbs down near Pine Lake and Gun Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kent

When: May 18, 1:26 PM EST
Where: Kent County, 1.01 mi E of Corinth
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.780, -85.660

Uprooted trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kent

When: May 18, 1:33 PM EST
Where: Kent County, 0.69 mi N of Caledonia
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.790, -85.520

Trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barry

When: May 18, 1:34 PM EST
Where: Barry County, 0.69 mi S of Middleville
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.710, -85.470

Tree on a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barry

When: May 18, 1:36 PM EST
Where: Barry County, 0.51 mi W of Hastings
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.650, -85.290

County dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kent

When: May 18, 1:36 PM EST
Where: Kent County, 0.69 mi S of Grand Rapids
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.960, -85.680

County dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kent

When: May 18, 1:42 PM EST
Where: Kent County, (Grr)kent Co Arpt Gr
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.880, -85.520

Gerald R Ford International Airport measured gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: May 18, 1:44 PM EST
Where: Calhoun County, 0.86 mi SE of (Btl)kellog Arpt Btl
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.310, -85.240

Battle Creek ASOS measured gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kent

When: May 18, 1:45 PM EST
Where: Kent County, 1.01 mi E of Bowen
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 42.880, -85.610

Recorded gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ionia

When: May 18, 1:47 PM EST
Where: Ionia County, 3.27 mi SW of Saranac
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.900, -85.270

Numerous trees down blocking roads between Caledonia and Lowell.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barry

When: May 18, 1:49 PM EST
Where: Barry County, 0.51 mi W of Woodland
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 42.730, -85.140

Damage to a roof at a learning center.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ionia

When: May 18, 1:50 PM EST
Where: Ionia County, 2.05 mi NE of Hillcrest
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.890, -85.290

Widespread tree damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Barry

When: May 18, 1:50 PM EST
Where: Barry County, 0.51 mi E of Woodland
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.730, -85.120

Measured gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ionia

When: May 18, 1:51 PM EST
Where: Ionia County, Saranac
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.930, -85.220

Trees down with widespread power outages.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kent

When: May 18, 1:51 PM EST
Where: Kent County, 3.6 mi SSW of Evans
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.130, -85.470

Two trees down by 11 Mile Rd and Young Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind, Eaton

When: May 18, 1:52 PM EST
Where: Eaton County, Vermontville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.630, -85.020

Large tree trunks snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ionia

When: May 18, 1:52 PM EST
Where: Ionia County, 0.51 mi E of Lake Odessa
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.780, -85.120

Large trees down. Minor property damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When: May 18, 1:53 PM EST
Where: Calhoun County, 2.56 mi E of Ceresco
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.270, -85.000

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across Calhoun County including a tree on a house in Marshall.

Thunderstorm Wind, Eaton

When: May 18, 1:56 PM EST
Where: Eaton County, 2.13 mi NNE of Sunfield
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.760, -84.990

Trees down on roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ionia

When: May 18, 1:59 PM EST
Where: Ionia County, 0.69 mi N of Ionia
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.990, -85.070

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ionia

When: May 18, 2:00 PM EST
Where: Ionia County, 0.86 mi NE of Ionia Co Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 42.940, -85.060

Ionia County AWOS measured gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Eaton

When: May 18, 2:01 PM EST
Where: Eaton County, 1.71 mi SE of Woodbury
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.750, -85.050

Roof mounted weather station measured gust. Heavy damage to trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Eaton

When: May 18, 2:03 PM EST
Where: Eaton County, 1.23 mi SW of Charlotte
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.560, -84.840

County dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ionia

When: May 18, 2:03 PM EST
Where: Ionia County, 1.01 mi E of Portland
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.870, -84.900

Public report of a barn with significant damage near Portland.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kent

When: May 18, 2:03 PM EST
Where: Kent County, 3.49 mi S of Evans
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.130, -85.460

Large tree down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ionia

When: May 18, 2:10 PM EST
Where: Ionia County, 3.61 mi E of Collins
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.940, -84.880

Maple tree down and golf cart blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ingham

When: May 18, 2:19 PM EST
Where: Ingham County, 1.47 mi SSE of Packard
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 42.660, -84.570

Dozen or more trees with trunks or limbs snapped in a wooded area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montcalm

When: May 18, 2:19 PM EST
Where: Montcalm County, 0.69 mi S of Stanton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 43.290, -85.080

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Ingham

When: May 18, 2:23 PM EST
Where: Ingham County, 2.06 mi SW of East Lansing
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.680, -84.500

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across the county. Multiple trees on houses.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gratiot

When: May 18, 2:24 PM EST
Where: Gratiot County, Sethton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.220, -84.780

Power pole snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: May 18, 2:25 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 1.01 mi W of (Lan)capitol Cty Arp
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.780, -84.600

Three small planes damaged at Lansing Capital Region International Airport. Two parked planes were flipped on their side, while one plane was flipped while being towed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: May 18, 2:25 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 0.51 mi E of St Johns
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 43.000, -84.560

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across the county, especially in St. Johns.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: May 18, 2:25 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 1.01 mi W of (Lan)capitol Cty Arp
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 42.780, -84.600

ASOS station at Lansing airport measured gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gratiot

When: May 18, 2:30 PM EST
Where: Gratiot County, 0.85 mi SE of Eugene
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.270, -84.710

Measured by personal weather station. Scattered power outages in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gratiot

When: May 18, 2:31 PM EST
Where: Gratiot County, Pompeii
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.180, -84.600

Trees down on Burton Street.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gratiot

When: May 18, 2:33 PM EST
Where: Gratiot County, 0.5 mi W of Alma Gratiot Arpt
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 43.320, -84.690

AWOS station Gratiot Community Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gratiot

When: May 18, 2:34 PM EST
Where: Gratiot County, 0.69 mi N of Ashley
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 43.190, -84.480

Photos show pole barn roof torn off and pushed around 60 yards.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: May 18, 2:35 PM EST
Where: Clinton County, 0.86 mi NW of Elsie
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 43.090, -84.390

Dispatch reports a barn received significant damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gratiot

When: May 18, 2:35 PM EST
Where: Gratiot County, 1.71 mi SW of St Louis
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.400, -84.620

Emergency management reports numerous trees and wires down across the county. More concentrated damage across the St Louis and Pompei areas.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gratiot

When: May 18, 2:40 PM EST
Where: Gratiot County, 0.85 mi NE of Alma
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 43.380, -84.660

Metal rooftop lifted off a body shop building. Tree uprooted onto a house in St Louis.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: May 18, 2:40 PM EST
Where: Jackson County, 0.51 mi E of Woodville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 42.250, -84.420

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Isabella

When: May 18, 2:50 PM EST
Where: Isabella County, 0.5 mi W of Shepherd
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 43.520, -84.690

Dispatch reports numerous trees and wires down across southern part of the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Isabella

When: May 18, 2:56 PM EST
Where: Isabella County, 2.12 mi ENE of Mt Pleasant Arpt
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.630, -84.690

Multiple trees on power lines by River Rd and Shepherd Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clare

When: May 18, 3:17 PM EST
Where: Clare County, 4.22 mi ENE of Clare Muni Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 43.850, -84.670

Several large trees down.

What these are

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 Warnings in Michigan, May 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: 1342587, 1342546, 1342547, 1342548, 1342549, 1342550, 1342551, 1342588, 1342589, 1342552, 1342553, 1342554, 1342555, 1342556, 1342557, 1342590, 1342591, 1342592, 1342558, 1342559, 1342560, 1342593, 1342561, 1342562, 1342563, 1342564, 1342565, 1342566, 1342567, 1342594, 1342595, 1342568, 1342569, 1342570, 1342571, 1342572, 1342573, 1342574, 1342575, 1342576, and more.