UPDATED 9:30 P.M. — The Lansing area and much of the Lower Peninsula are under a tornado watch, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado watch, which was also issued for portion of Northern Indiana, is in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Even without a tornado, the storms moving through the area are expected to be able to produce large hail and 70 mph winds.
Check back for updates.
ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING — Strong storms packing wind gusts of 70 mph or higher are possible on Tuesday, April 14 in south-central lower Michigan, including the Lansing area, and forecasters weren’t ruling out a tornado or two.
The southern half of lower Michigan had an enhanced risk for severe weather, primarily after 8 p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. Much of the northern half of the peninsula was in a slight-risk area.
A flood watch will be in effect for the region from 8 p.m. Tuesday until late Thursday, April 16.
Storms were expected to sweep across Lake Michigan from Wisconsin, reaching the western part of the state after 8 p.m. or so, said Brandon Hoving, a forecaster for the weather service in Grand Rapids.
The primary window for storms will be between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., he said.
Wind damage is the biggest risk, with gusts of 70 mph or greater possible, with large hail and heavy rain also possible.
Hoving said some areas could get 1 to 2 inches of rain, and street flooding could become a concern.
“Travelers should be on the lookout for water-covered roads and such, and they shouldn’t try to drive through flooded areas,” he said.
More rain is likely on Wednesday, and that could mean that any overnight flooding persists into the day, forecasters said. Rain is in the forecast for Thursday, as well. But Friday was expected to be quieter, weather-wise.
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Strong storms prompt tornado watch in Lansing region Tuesday night
Reporting by Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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