No reprieve: March was 5th wettest on record in Lansing; severe weather possible Wednesday
LANSING — There will be no rest for the rain-weary over the next couple of days, and forecasters were growing more concerned about potentially severe weather on Wednesday, including damaging winds, hail and tornadoes.
Thunderstorms packing heavy rain and possible large hail were expected to move through the Lansing region overnight Tuesday, with an elevated risk of more serious storms from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service said.
A few severe t-storms are posbl into tonight, w/ a main risk of hail. Wed poses greater concern, w/all hazards posbl. Several rounds of storms are posbl into Wed eve, but confidence is low regarding timing. Have multiple ways of receiving warnings if any are issued for your loc. pic.twitter.com/k7Sn5VRcyQ
— NWS Grand Rapids (@NWSGrandRapids) April 4, 2023
"It would not be surprising to see wind damage and maybe even tornadoes," said Brandon Hoving, a forecaster for the weather service in Grand Rapids. "Some amount of risk is definitely something to watch. Even in early April, we've had tornadoes in the past."
Forecasters were uncertain about the timing and severity of the storms, Hoving said.
Whatever happens, Wednesday will be balmy and breezy, with temperatures soaring into the 70s, he said. Temperatures are expected to fall back into the 40s on Thursday, he said.
Heavy rains would exacerbate minor flooding already occuring following weeks of heavy precipitation, pushing swollen rivers over their banks and leaving park land and farm fields under water, forecasters said.
Rounds of showers/t-storms will affect portions of Lwr MI into Wed. While the overall risk of severe weather at any single location is low, some storms in the area may be severe on Tue–Wed. Large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are posbl; stay weather-aware. #wmiwx pic.twitter.com/UFSOkbNvTI
— NWS Grand Rapids (@NWSGrandRapids) April 3, 2023
The National Weather Service on Monday issued a flood watch for parts of south-central, west and southwest Michigan, but the warning expired Tuesday morning. A flood warning was extended until Thursday morning for the Red Cedar River at East Lansing.
Flooding along the Red Cedar could affect Michigan State University's DeMartin's Soccer Complex, and MSU officials said they expected flooding to cause the closure of some parking lots and sidewalks.
Rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected across lower Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In the Lansing area, there was a marginal risk of large hail, damaging winds and a possible funnel cloud on Tuesday afternoon and evening, and an enhanced risk of severe storms on Wednesday, forecasters said.
April 1st, 2023: Here is March Climate Summary. Precipitation was well above normal setting a March record for precipitation in Kalamazoo. Grand Rapids had the 2nd highest precipitation and 4th highest snowfall for March. Temperatures were around normal. pic.twitter.com/Dxs9RR28so
— NWS Grand Rapids (@NWSGrandRapids) April 2, 2023
March was an extraordinarily wet month in southern lower Michigan.
Lansing's 4.52 inches of precipitation was 2.4 inches above normal and made last month the fifth wettest March on record in the Capitol City, the weather service said. The region also got 15.7 inches of snow, nearly 10 inches above normal.
Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo also were above normal, with Kalamazoo recording its wettest March on record, with 5.03 inches. Temperatures were above normal in Lansing, Kalamazoo and Muskegon.
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Forecasters: Enhanced risk of severe weather in Lansing area on Wednesday
