Michiganders continue to feel weather whiplash as strong thunderstorms with tornado potential to blow in days after spring snow storm

DETROIT (WWJ) - Four days ago, Metro Detroiters were digging out after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow across the area, but now, residents are being told to prepare for strong thunderstorms with some capable of packing tornadoes.

AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz said Detroit and the surrounding suburbs are in for some stormy weather on Tuesday afternoon that could bring damaging wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph -- with a local StormMax of up to 70 mph -- heavy downpours and even an isolated tornado.

"Stay weather aware here for today," Benz warned, stating that the morning commute will start off wet as rain stretches well to the southwest of the metro area.

"We'll catch a break from the rain later this morning through at least the early afternoon, then here comes the storms later this afternoon into this evening," Benz said. "This will be a line of thunderstorms that can bring at least gusty winds and downpours here in Metro Detroit, but watch for the risk for damaging wind gusts west in Metro Detroit, especially towards Ann Arbor on west."

The National Weather Service in Detroit said the potential for strong winds will develop over central portions of southern Michigan in the later afternoon hours with storms reaching along and east of I-75/US-23 in the evening time.

The storms may weaken some after sundown due to the loss of daytime heat, but damaging winds are still expected in isolated areas.

"An isolated weak tornado can't be completely ruled out as well," the NWS warned.

The storms are expected to track from west to east at around 50 mph between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.

A Gale Warning is currently in effect for central and southern Lake Huron as well as the Saginaw Bay. Small craft advisory in effect for Port Sanilac-Port Huron nearshore water.

Once the cold front passes through Tuesday night, it will usher in a "seasonably cooler airmass for the remainder of the week," the NWS said.

Benz said we'll see a high of 58 degrees on Tuesday and into the evening hours before drying out and lows getting down to 41 degrees.

"Tomorrow -- intervals of clouds and sunshine. A cooler day with a high of 50 degrees and into Thursday, mostly sunny and breezy high of 51," Benz said.