Michigan
More severe weather on the way Thursday – these cities could see flooding
Flooding, gusty winds, hail and an isolated tornado possible
Another day of severe weather after morning flooding
(FOX 2) – Severe weather isn’t done yet with Southeast Michigan with thunderstorm risks being upgraded by the National Weather Service. The threat Thursday includes chances for large hail, heavy rainfall, and more flooding in some cities.
After several inches of rain got dumped on parts of Metro Detroit, spotty showers are expected to continue throughout the afternoon Thursday.
An enhanced risk of thunderstorms is now in effect for all of Southeast Michigan, which could spell trouble for areas that are already dealing with flooding, including western Wayne County and along the I-275 corridor.
The window for the worst of the rain is between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., the National Weather Service announced.
What drove earlier severe weather
The system that pushed into Michigan Wednesday initially missed Detroit and the surrounding communities. Instead, the worst struck Windsor in Canada before heading south into Lake Erie and northern Ohio.
Then, in an atypical move the weather patterns began to drift east to west. As it did, the system found more moisture and heat and began dropping more rain over the region. Another reason for the direction of the weather was because systems typically like to find the path of least resistance.
It’s over Michigan the most recent system cut a path along a larger weather pattern in the atmosphere. Spots like Monroe County got hit the worst with the village of Carleton recording more than six inches of rain. Most months don’t record that much rainfall.
For residents north of Detroit, a combination of lightning and thunder lit up the midnight sky.
Parts of Metro Detroit flooded from overnight rain
Storms that started Wednesday night and into Thursday flooded sections of Metro Detroit and stranding drivers in parts of Canton and western Wayne County. One driver said it would be 5 hours until a tow truck could get remove their car from the waters.
Heat Advisories in Metro Detroit
The NWS has declared a Heat Advisory for communities south of I-69, stretching from Kalamazoo and Lansing to Detroit. Temperatures are expected to peak in the low 90s around midday Thursday. Forecasters also predict a heat index of 100 degrees for some communities.
Residents can thank both high temperatures and humidity for why it will feel like it’s in the triple digits.
An Excessive Heat Warning is also in effect for southern Michigan and northern Ohio.
With the start of high school football Thursday, it’ll be key that athletes are drinking enough water.
Thursday thunderstorms and flooding
Weather patterns will remain fluid throughout the day with spotty showers appearing during the afternoon. Metro Detroit can expect storms to pick up in some areas around 4-5 p.m.
The weather service is warning of hazards ranging from thunderstorms, damaging wind, large hail, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning. An isolated tornado is also possible.
Wind speeds up to 75 mph are possible as it means the potential for downed trees and subsequent power outages. It also means more sloshing of standing waters that haven’t saturated the ground, which will add to runoff.
The runoff could exasperate localized flooding for areas where the water has no where to go. Flooding potential in urban centers include: Ann Arbor, Livonia, Southfield, Taylor, Novi, Romulus, Monroe, Ypsilanti, Hartland, Flat Rock, Howell, Saline, Brighton, Milford, Milan, Dexter, Dundee, Fowerville, Pinckney, and Carleton.
What to do if your car is stranded by flooding
For those traveling in vehicles, don’t try driving through standing water. Many motorists already discovered an hours-long wait for a tow truck after getting caught in flooding on I-275, in Canton, Plymouth and other western Wayne County areas.
Rain could potentially continue falling into Friday.