Severe Thunderstorms with Half-Dollar Sized Hail Strike Upper Michigan
Quarter to half-dollar sized hail pelted Michigan’s Upper Peninsula early Sunday as severe thunderstorms moved northeast at 50 mph through multiple counties.
MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN — Severe thunderstorms with quarter to half-dollar sized hail swept across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula early Sunday morning, prompting multiple warnings from the National Weather Service as the storms moved northeast at 50 to 55 mph.
The National Weather Service in Marquette issued five severe thunderstorm warnings between 3:55 a.m. and 4:34 a.m. EDT, tracking the storm system as it progressed through northwestern Marquette County and southeastern Baraga County. The warnings remained in effect until 5:15 a.m. EDT for most areas.
Storm Path and Timing
The severe weather began around 3:54 a.m. EDT when radar indicated a thunderstorm located over U.S. 141 between Covington and Amasa, approximately 20 miles north of Iron River. By 4:17 a.m. EDT, the storm line had expanded and was positioned from near Three Lakes to six miles southwest of West Ishpeming.
The final warning, issued at 4:34 a.m. EDT, showed severe thunderstorms along a line extending from 12 miles southeast of Skanee to near Negaunee, continuing their eastward movement at 50 mph.
Affected Communities and Damage Potential
Multiple communities across the Upper Peninsula were in the storm’s path. The National Weather Service identified locations impacted by the severe weather, including Ishpeming, Negaunee, Michigamme, Champion, Little Presque Isle, West Ishpeming, and Big Bay.
Additional areas affected included Lake Michigamme, The Huron Islands, Humboldt, Mountain Lake, Van Riper State Park, Island Lake, Three Lakes, Craig Lake State Park, Herman, Ned Lake, King Lake, Halfway Village, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Silver Lake Basin.
Hail Size and Vehicle Damage Warnings
The storms produced varying sizes of hail throughout their progression. Early warnings indicated quarter-size hail, but as the system intensified, the National Weather Service reported half-dollar sized hail in several areas. The radar-indicated hail posed significant threats to vehicles across the affected regions.
Weather officials warned residents that damage to vehicles was expected due to the size and intensity of the hail. The storms’ rapid movement at speeds between 50 and 55 mph meant communities had limited time to prepare for the severe weather conditions.
The National Weather Service in Marquette continued monitoring the storm system as it moved through the region, with all warnings expiring by 5:15 a.m. EDT as the severe thunderstorms moved beyond the affected counties.
