Follow along throughout the day as we track the weather and any Lansing area impacts here.
Okemos High School struck by lightning
Updated 3:42 p.m.: MERIDIAN TWP. ― A lightning strike hit Okemos High School or “very close to it,” Wednesday afternoon, District Communications Coordinator Shannon Beczkiewicz confirmed.
Shortly after the strike the building’s smoke detectors went off. Students were released from classes at about 2:25 p.m., she said, 10 minutes before the typical dismissal time.
The Meridian Township Fire Department responded and were still assessing the scene later Wednesday afternoon. A message was left with Chief Mike Hamel.
Beczkiewicz said no one was hurt and there was no obvious damage to the exterior of the building.
Storm risk decreases slightly
Updated 2:10 p.m: The risk of severe thunderstorms has decreased slightly for Wednesday afternoon, National Weather Service Grand Rapids Meteorologist Walt Felver said.
Thunderstorms are still expected this afternoon and will be the worst from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Felver said.
Total rainfall is expected to be just under 2 inches, he said.
A repeat of Sunday’s weather?
Updated 10:10 a.m.: Wednesday’s weather is expected to be a bit of repeat of Sunday’s damaging storms that swept across the Lansing area, although likely with more rain and a bit of snow mixed in.
Light snow overnight Tuesday was expected to turn to rain as temperatures warm throughout the day Wednesday from from the low 30s to the mid-60s by the afternoon.
That dramatic temperature change means thunderstorms are possible throughout the day on Wednesday, and some could be severe.
Thunderstorms were moving through the area before 10 a.m. but more severe storms were possible later in the day.
The highest risk of severe storms will be near and south of Interstate 96, forecasters said. Tornadoes, four of which touched down in Ingham and Ionia counties Sunday, are also possible.
Sunday’s storms spawned vicious straight-line winds and at least three tornadoes, including an EF-1 twister near Williamston and an EF-0 tornado near Leslie. The weather service on Tuesday also confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down east of Grant in Newaygo County.
A 56-year-old man was killed when a tree fell on a house in Stockbridge Township on Sunday, Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth said.
Check back for updates.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing weather radar: Follow for updates on severe weather and current conditions
Reporting by Ken Palmer and Sarah Atwood, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
