My first Michigan chase (outside of a 15 mile radius of KZO) transpired during the early/late evening hours of July 6. Following the issuance of a TOR box; observed high-based towering convection at Kalamazoo around 6:30pm ET; along with more linear based storms moving NE at 30 towards KZO; Battle Creek; and points eastward. The blossoming convection ahead of the line peaked my interest; so I continued east past Battle Creek; stopping at Marshall for a time lapse opportunity. Quite possibly the most crisp quasi-supercellular convection I've observed in Michigan since 25-June-1998 transpired just to my S/SE across Branch Co. This cell moved NE towards eastern Calhoun Co; producing estimated 40-50mph wind gusts, blinding rain, and small hail for a five minute duration. Vehicles were brought to a halt on I-94; east and westbound; before the precip subsided.
Continued E into Jackson Co; getting ahead of the primary cell moving E along I-94; observing intense lightning and a non-rotating wall cloud (very raggy); before shooting N on US127 into southern Ingham Co; then looped back around E; S; then back W (via I-96; US23; I-94) towards Jackson... shooting lightning at Marshall before heading back to KZO.
Was fairly surprised with the issuance of a TOR box under to the dominant unidirectional flow; but wasn't let down by these garden variety photogenic storms. The 270 mile RT chase also brought home the fact that I absolutely despise chasing in Michigan during the summer; due to extreme foilage; yet it was nice and refreshing to chase within my home state once again.
..Blake..
