Storm system to sweep from Muskegon to Saginaw
A powerful storm system is set to strike Michigan on Wednesday afternoon into the night, with the storm center projected to move from Muskegon to Saginaw. According to the latest high-resolution weather data, the heaviest rainfall will occur north of this storm path, bringing widespread rainfall totals between one and three inches across much of Lower Michigan.
Areas likely to see over 2 inches of rainfall
The strongest precipitation is expected in a broad swath that includes Traverse City, Houghton Lake, and Oscoda, with localized amounts reaching or exceeding 3 to 4 inches in spots that experience intense thunderstorms. Model averages from NOAA’s High Resolution Ensemble Forecasts indicate Saginaw, Bay City, Mount Pleasant, and Alma will be among the areas with the highest rain totals—likely over 2 inches (50.8 mm).
From I-94 to northern Michigan: widespread 1-inch+ totals
Most of Lower Michigan, including regions along and north of I-94, such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, Jackson, and Kalamazoo, will see rainfall over 1 inch (25.4 mm). This extends northward all the way to Traverse City and the Lake Huron shoreline around Oscoda.
Severe thunderstorms likely in southern Michigan
The southern section of the state, especially along I-94, is also expected to deal with severe thunderstorms. These storms could produce more than an inch of rain in a very short time frame, elevating the threat of flash flooding in susceptible areas.
The NOAA surface pressure forecast confirms the presence of a tightly wound low-pressure center, which typically enhances the potential for both steady rainfall and embedded thunderstorms, especially north of the storm’s track.
Stay vigilant as the weather unfolds through Wednesday night and into early Thursday, with continued updates expected from local meteorologists.
