COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County and all of Southern Michigan are facing a multi-day severe weather threat as a series of cold fronts roll through the area, bringing risks of isolated tornadoes, large hail, and flash flooding.
The threats begin this afternoon and evening as a stalled low-pressure system fuels scattered thunderstorms. While today presents a relatively low-end, “sneaky” severe risk, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that an unseasonably cool atmosphere could still produce isolated severe wind gusts and localized hail, primarily between 1:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. this evening.
The severe threat intensifies significantly on Wednesday.
The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has placed areas from I-94 southward under a slight to enhanced risk for severe weather, targeting cities like Coldwater, Sturgis and Battle Creek .
A powerful secondary system is modeled to sweep through after 2:00 p.m., packing destructive straight-line winds over 60 mph, hail up to an inch in diameter, and a heightened threat for spin-up tornadoes.
Additionally, atmospheric moisture will trigger torrential downpours exceeding 2 inches in some areas, creating a moderate confidence risk for flash flooding into Thursday morning.
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