Tornado Warnings Issued Across Multiple Michigan Counties as Severe Weather Strikes
Tornado warnings swept across southeastern Michigan Saturday evening as dangerous storms brought baseball-sized hail and threatening multiple communities from Cass City to Harbor Beach.
CASS CITY, MICHIGAN — Tornado warnings were issued across southeastern Michigan Saturday evening as dangerous thunderstorms swept through the region, with the National Weather Service tracking storms capable of producing tornadoes and baseball-sized hail.
The most serious threat developed around 6:49 p.m. EDT when the National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac office issued a tornado warning for northern Sanilac County and southeastern Huron County. The severe thunderstorm was located near Argyle, approximately seven miles east of Cass City, and was moving east at 40 mph.
“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely,” according to the National Weather Service warning.
Storm Progression Tracked Across Multiple Communities
The storm system moved through several communities throughout the evening. At 6:58 p.m. EDT, radar indicated the tornadic thunderstorm was near Ubly, continuing its eastward path at 30 mph with the potential for two-inch diameter hail.
Forecasters predicted the storm would reach Forestville around 7:20 p.m. EDT. Multiple communities remained in the storm’s path, including Tyre, Ruth, Parisville, Palms, White Rock, Minden, Richmondville, and New Greenleaf.
Earlier in the evening, starting around 6:25 p.m. EDT, a tornado warning was issued for a storm near Gagetown, located eight miles west of Cass City. This system was moving east at 35 mph and threatened Cass City, Gagetown, and Owendale around 6:30 p.m. EDT.
Destructive Storms Hit Bay City Area
Before the tornado activity, the Bay City region experienced severe weather beginning in the late afternoon. At 5:21 p.m. EDT, the National Weather Service issued a warning for what they classified as “a destructive storm” targeting Bay City and Essexville.
This storm produced baseball-sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts, with forecasters warning that “people and animals outdoors will be severely injured” and predicting “shattered windows, extensive damage to roofs, siding, and vehicles.”
The severe weather began developing around 5:01 p.m. EDT near Freeland and continued moving northeast through the Bay County area. Multiple warnings were issued as the storm system intensified and expanded its coverage area throughout the evening.
Statewide Weather Activity
Beyond the southeastern Michigan tornado threats, severe thunderstorm warnings were also issued for northern portions of the state. The National Weather Service Gaylord office tracked storms affecting Benzie County and northern Manistee County, with severe thunderstorms moving northeast at 40 mph along a line extending from west of Pierport to areas near Manistee.
These northern storms were expected to impact multiple communities including Arcadia, Pierport, Frankfort, Onekama, Elberta, Bear Lake, Wildwood, Beulah, Benzonia, Thompsonville, Kaleva, Honor, and Copemish between 6:30 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. EDT.
All tornado warnings were scheduled to expire by 7:30 p.m. EDT, while severe thunderstorm warnings extended until 7:15 p.m. EDT in most affected areas. The weather service continued monitoring radar-indicated rotation and storm movement throughout the evening as the severe weather system moved through the region.
