Tornadoes · United States · Michigan · 2025
EF1 tornado, Williamston to Bell Oak, Michigan, March 30, 2025
From Williamston to Bell Oak, this EF1 tornado ran 5.3 miles across Ingham County on March 30, 2025, touching down at 6:40 PM EDT and reaching 150 yards wide. It killed nobody.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
EF065 to 85 mph
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mph
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
EF3136 to 165 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
EF5over 200 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
The record
- Rating
- EF1
- Date
- March 30, 2025
- Touchdown
- 6:40 PM EDT (22:40 UTC)
- Lifted
- 6:45 PM EDT (22:45 UTC)
- On the ground
- 5 minutes
- Path length
- 5.3 miles (8.5 km)
- Path width
- 150 yards (137 m)
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- County
- Ingham County
- Touchdown point
- 42.710, -84.270
- Lift-off point
- 42.780, -84.200
- Record number
- 2503301640-01
The damage survey
1 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS DTX, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF0. The highest wind the damage implies is 62 mph.
- Carport lifted on its side with tree uprooted andstatueofayeti
Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.
What the Weather Service recorded
In the mid afternoon to early evening on March 30, severe storms brought destructive winds and produced tornadoes across lower Michigan. There were 9 total tornadoes in the Grand Rapids forecast area, with 14 total in the State of Michigan on March 30.
The tornado caused damage to multiple homes including a two story home that lost its rood. Several other homes had roof and siding damage. There was also damage to barn and outbuildings along the path. Tree damage was also noted during the survey.
From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.
The warnings
24 minutes of warning. NWS GRR issued a tornado warning for this county at 22:16 UTC, 24 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 22:45 UTC.
The county was under a severe thunderstorm watch, issued at 20:20 UTC and running to 23:15 UTC.
| Issued (UTC) | Expired | Product | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20:20 UTC | 23:15 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Watch | GRR |
| 21:56 UTC | 23:03 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | GRR |
| 22:16 UTC | 22:45 UTC | Tornado Warning | GRR |
| 22:41 UTC | 22:49 UTC | Tornado Warning | GRR |
Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.
The forecast that day
The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Enhanced Risk, with a 0.02 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 19:39 UTC.
SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.
The air that afternoon
The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.
Detroit, MI (KDTX), 12:00Z
10.7 hours before the tornado, 66 km from the path. March 30, 2025.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -8245 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 450 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 37 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 34 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 327 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 304 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 3.5 K/km
Detroit, MI (KDTX), 00:00Z
1.3 hours after it, 66 km from the path. March 31, 2025.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 615 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- 0 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 695 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 565 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 48 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 45 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 321 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 346 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.1
- Supercell composite
- 4.9
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 6.5 K/km
The surface observations
Howell (OZW), 24 km from the path, in the two hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Temp (°F) | Dew point (°F) | Wind | Gust (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:55 UTC | 69 | 62.2 | 150° 14 kt | 19 | 1001.4 | |
| 21:15 UTC | 68.5 | 61.7 | 170° 11 kt | 19 | 1001.4 | |
| 21:35 UTC | 68 | 61 | 170° 14 kt | 19 | 1001.4 | |
| 21:55 UTC | 68 | 61.7 | 160° 14 kt | 18 | 1000.7 | -RA |
| 22:15 UTC | 67 | 61.3 | 170° 15 kt | 21 | 1000.3 | |
| 22:35 UTC | 66.6 | 61 | 160° 13 kt | 18 | 1000.3 | |
| 22:55 UTC | 60.6 | 53.4 | 200° 24 kt | 49 | 1003.4 | +RA |
| 23:15 UTC | 54.5 | 53 | 220° 11 kt | 16 | 1002 | RA |
| 23:35 UTC | 55.4 | 53.8 | 200° 7 kt | 1000.7 | RA | |
| 23:55 UTC | 54.7 | 53.6 | 200° 6 kt | 1000.7 | -RA | |
| 00:15 UTC | 55 | 53.8 | 180° 6 kt | 1001 | -RA | |
| 00:35 UTC | 55.4 | 54 | 180° 8 kt | 1001.7 |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.
The radar
The Detroit radar (KDTX), 63 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 22:38 UTC.
Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track
Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.
What was reported nearby
Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Report | Where | County | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22:09 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ssw Springport | Jackson, MI | Trees uprooted and snapped along Craver Road. |
| 22:14 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Ese Sandstone | Jackson, MI | Trees down 1 to 2 miles southwest of the Jackson County Airport. |
| 22:15 UTC | TSTM WND GST 54 | 1 E Charlotte | Eaton, MI | AWOS station KFPK Charlotte Fitch Beach Arpt. |
| 22:16 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 2 W Michigan Center | Jackson, MI | Roof lifted off mobile home. |
| 22:17 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | Jackson | Jackson, MI | Delayed report. Time estimated via radar and ASOS observation. Numerous large trees and branches down in the Jackson area. |
| 22:17 UTC | TSTM WND GST 96 | 3 Ene Sandstone | Jackson, MI | ASOS station KJXN Jackson County-Reynolds Field Airport. |
| 22:20 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Wsw Mulliken | Eaton, MI | Delayed Report. Time estimated via radar. Wire down on Grand Ledge Hwy. |
| 22:20 UTC | TORNADO | 1 Ssw Leslie | Ingham, MI | EF0 began at Olds Road south of Leslie, MI. Caused tree damage along the path as well as minor damage to homes and resulted in the loss of several outbuildings. Total path was around 2.7 miles. Maximum path width was app |
| 22:22 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | Grand Ledge | Eaton, MI | Delayed Report. Time estimated via radar. Several downed trees and large limbs in Grand Ledge area. |
| 22:24 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | Portland | Ionia, MI | Delayed Report. Time estimated via radar. Several photos of social media on downed trees. |
| 22:28 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Nnw Stockbridge | Ingham, MI | Delayed Report. Time estimated via radar. Large tree down over Dexter Trail. |
| 22:30 UTC | HAIL 1 | 6 Sw Munith | Jackson, MI | Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.) Time estimated via radar. |
| 22:32 UTC | TSTM WND GST 62 | 3 Nne Edgemont Park | Clinton, MI | ASOS station KLAN Lansing. |
| 22:35 UTC | TSTM WND GST 52 | Okemos | Ingham, MI | Public report, time estimated via radar. Minor tree damage, including small and medium sized branches. |
| 22:37 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 2 S Williamston | Ingham, MI | Roof blown off an Assisted Living Center. All 7 residents safe. |
| 22:40 UTC | TORNADO | 2 Nne Williamston | Ingham, MI | An EF1 tornado caused damage to multiple houses including a two story home that lost its roof. Several other homes had roof and siding damage. There was also damage to barns and outbuildings along its path. Its path was |
| 22:53 UTC | TSTM WND GST 75 | 1 Ne Howell | Livingston, MI | |
| 22:57 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Se Owosso | Shiawassee, MI | Trees down including one partially uprooted taking the sidewalk with it on Broadway Av. |
| 22:57 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 2 S Henderson | Shiawassee, MI | Tree uprooted and street sign bent |
| 22:59 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | Durand | Shiawassee, MI | Large pine uprooted and down on a garage |
| 23:00 UTC | TORNADO | 2 Ese Henderson | Shiawassee, MI | Delayed report. NWS has verified an EF-1 tornado from Sunday, March 30. Max sustained winds of 90 mph. |
| 23:05 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 2 W Swartz Creek | Genesee, MI | Large pine snapped and partially uprooted |
| 23:07 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 1 N Swartz Creek | Genesee, MI | Spotter reported trees uprooted near the intersection of Morrish adn Lennon Roads and on Van Vleet Road. |
| 23:09 UTC | TSTM WND GST 61 | Flint Bishop Intl Airpo | Genesee, MI | |
| 23:10 UTC | TSTM WND GST 70 | 3 S Flint | Genesee, MI | Measured on private weather station |
| 23:11 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 2 S Flint | Genesee, MI | Pictures of damaged fencing, shredded netting, and snapped poles at Powers Catholic High School baseball fields |
| 23:12 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | Grand Blanc | Genesee, MI | Report of numerous 8 to 10 inch diameter tree limbs down across Grand Blanc, downed power lines, and a few flooded roads. A few smaller trees were also uprooted. Estimated 70-75 mph winds. |
| 23:12 UTC | TSTM WND GST 67 | 3 S Flint | Genesee, MI | Also reported quarter sized hail |
| 23:18 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 1 N Burt | Saginaw, MI | Dispatch reports multiple trees down on houses in the southern part of the county. |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.
This ground now
The live radar over the trackEvery 2025 tornado in MichiganEvery tornado in Michigan since 1950Warnings in force in Michigan nowThe forecast where you are
The other tornadoes of March 30, 2025
42 more were confirmed in the United States that day.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 30 | 11:46 AM CDT | EF0 | Jackson, MS | 2.4 | 75 | |||
| March 30 | 1:20 PM CDT | EF1 | Champaign, IL | 12.1 | 300 | |||
| March 30 | 1:37 PM CDT | EF0 | Jackson, MS | 0.9 | 75 | $5,000 | ||
| March 30 | 2:28 PM CDT | EF0 | Newton, IN | 6.1 | 200 | |||
| March 30 | 3:22 PM CDT | EF1 | Starke, IN | 3.2 | 750 | 1 | $110,000 | |
| March 30 | 4:52 PM EDT | EF1 | Cass, MI | 2.6 | 100 | $100,000 | ||
| March 30 | 4:56 PM EDT | EF1 | Cass, MI | 2.0 | 200 | $50,000 | ||
| March 30 | 5:16 PM EDT | EF1 | Noble, IN | 1.4 | 200 | $100,000 | ||
| March 30 | 5:17 PM EDT | EF0 | Saint Joseph, MI | 3.6 | 300 | $60,000 | ||
| March 30 | 5:28 PM EDT | EF1 | Steuben, IN | 5.7 | 100 | $100,000 | ||
| March 30 | 5:42 PM EDT | EF0 | Kent, MI | 4.2 | 150 | |||
| March 30 | 5:58 PM EDT | EF1 | Kent, MI | 1.7 | 250 | |||
| March 30 | 6:00 PM EDT | EF0 | Kent, MI | 2.4 | 300 | |||
| March 30 | 6:00 PM EDT | EF0 | Kent, MI | 5.0 | 150 | |||
| March 30 | 5:02 PM CDT | EF1 | Ripley, MO | 8.6 | 50 | $55,000 | ||
| March 30 | 6:05 PM EDT | EF0 | Newaygo, MI | 2.8 | 50 | |||
| March 30 | 6:07 PM EDT | EF0 | Ionia, MI | 2.2 | 150 | |||
| March 30 | 6:20 PM EDT | EF0 | Ingham, MI | 2.7 | 50 | |||
| March 30 | 6:21 PM EDT | EF0 | Ionia, MI | 0.5 | 25 | |||
| March 30 | 6:45 PM EDT | EF0 | Monroe, IN | 0.1 | 30 | $15,000 | ||
| March 30 | 6:51 PM EDT | EF0 | Monroe, MI | 0.5 | 100 | |||
| March 30 | 7:00 PM EDT | EF1 | Shiawassee, MI | 0.9 | 100 | |||
| March 30 | 6:05 PM CDT | EF1 | Alexander, IL | 23.9 | 150 | $75,000 | ||
| March 30 | 7:54 PM EDT | EF0 | Ripley, IN | 2.2 | 100 | $150,000 | ||
| March 30 | 8:02 PM EDT | EF1 | Ripley, IN | 4.8 | 200 | $200,000 | ||
| March 30 | 7:39 PM CDT | EF0 | Poinsett, AR | 4.8 | 150 | $3,000 | ||
| March 30 | 8:40 PM EDT | EF0 | Butler, OH | 6.9 | 150 | $250,000 | ||
| March 30 | 8:52 PM EDT | EF0 | Butler, OH | 11.7 | 200 | $265,000 | ||
| March 30 | 9:07 PM EDT | EF0 | Warren, OH | 3.0 | 150 | $100,000 | ||
| March 30 | 8:20 PM CDT | EF1 | Breckinridge, KY | 2.5 | 30 | |||
| March 30 | 9:23 PM EDT | EF1 | Meade, KY | 30.3 | 500 | 1 | ||
| March 30 | 9:35 PM EDT | EF1 | Fayette, OH | 3.9 | 250 | $250,000 | ||
| March 30 | 9:35 PM EDT | EF1 | Meade, KY | 7.2 | 50 | |||
| March 30 | 9:48 PM EDT | EF1 | Jefferson, KY | 5.4 | 30 | 1 | ||
| March 30 | 10:10 PM EDT | EF0 | Franklin, OH | 2.6 | 250 | $85,000 | ||
| March 30 | 10:23 PM EDT | EF1 | Spencer, KY | 2.5 | 80 | |||
| March 30 | 10:07 PM CDT | EF1 | Humphreys, TN | 2.0 | 150 | $100,000 | ||
| March 30 | 10:25 PM CDT | EF0 | Humphreys, TN | 2.5 | 300 | $100,000 | ||
| March 30 | 11:07 PM CDT | EF0 | Hickman, TN | 2.2 | 150 | $50,000 | ||
| March 30 | 11:12 PM CDT | EF0 | Perry, TN | 0.3 | 75 | $50,000 | ||
| March 30 | 12:00 AM CDT | EF2 | Maury, TN | 5.6 | 350 | $500,000 | ||
| March 30 | 12:14 AM CDT | EF1 | Maury, TN | 4.1 | 300 | $50,000 |
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.
Sources
NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.