Wednesday the 5th of April has been declared a Weather Authority Alert Day due to the high possibility of strong tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds.
A significant severe weather ‘outbreak’ is forecasted for Wednesday between 12 PM and 8 PM. Following the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) updates, we are going ever more confident, and worried, that the threats will materialize.
Due to the high upper-level wind shear values expected, the SPC has placed almost all of the Lower Peninsula under an Enhanced Risk, with a 10% tornado risk overlayed with a Significant Severe Risk.
The SPC defines Significant Severe as tornadoes of EF2+, hail 2″+ in diameter, and damaging winds of 74 MPH+.
Wind and Hail will also be a problem. The Large Hail Risk is up to 30% overlayed with a Significant Severe Risk. The only value not labeled as Significant Severe is the damaging winds, but that risk is also up to 30%.
The National Weather Service in Detroit/Pontiac’s Hazardous Weather Outlook states:
"A powerful low pressure system over the Upper Mississippi River Valley will send a strong cold front through Southeast Michigan Wednesday afternoon. A warm and humid air mass preceding the cold front is expected to fuel numerous to widespread thunderstorm development between Noon and 8 pm Wednesday. The potential exists for significant severe weather development, including tornadoes and hail greater than 1 inch, across all of Southeast Michigan."
Tomorrow is a day we believe could be dangerous and cause damage to life and property, thus you should have multiple ways to receive warnings; a NOAA Weather Radio is ALWAYS a good choice.