Michigan Moderate threat today 5-31-11

[Damon Talbot]

This morning we were placed in the Moderate Risk are by the SPC. I am a Skywarn Spotter in Muskegon so expecting some decent winds when the storms come off the lake. I believe that they will then strengthen more as they move inland.

Anyone have any forecasts, or outlooks for how far north or south the most severe threat from today may be? I have looked at some model data but still learning.

If the storm breaks through here quickly we may chase the storm into central Michigan a ways.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

Good luck keeping up. Storm motions are going to be between 45 and 60 knots today.

 

[John Vandehei]

I don't know what your rainfall situation up in Muskegon has been, but I know across the region, it has been a wet spring. Down here along the I-94 corridor, we've had some heavy rains recently. Why is this important. Well, during the last round of severe weather which strongly impacted Battle Creek, many of the downed trees that were toppled were simply due to uprooting as a result of the saturated soils. If soil conditions up in your neck of the woods are anything like what they are down here, be vary wary of falling trees if you go out chasing. Down here, it was so bad, one could easily get trapped as fallen trees were blocking all directions. I've witnessed trees blown over in straight line events and I was surprised at how fast they can fall/blow over (less than a second). So be careful.

 

[Steve LaBelle]

These storms did end up dropping a confirmed tornado in Beaver Township. I chased a particular cell up I-75 expecting it to land in Grand Blanc but it completely fizzled out as i sat there waiting on it. Meanwhile, the cells just north of that in Bay county were quite vicious. Check both videos on this page. Some impressive stuff for Michigan.

http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/story.aspx?id=624620