Lightning, downpours, hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes all possible with storms in Metro Detroit Tuesday

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Forecasters are calling for thunderstorms that could turn severe — bringing lightning, heavy downpours, damaging winds and large hail to Metro Detroit.

According to the National Weather Service, there's also a slight risk of isolated tornadoes with this system, which will blow into Southeast Michigan in the afternoon hours Tuesday.

The NWS has issued a Tornado Watch for 11 counties in Lower Michigan, including Monroe, Lenawee, Jackson and Ingham Counties, as well as several counties in northern Indiana and Ohio. The Tornado Watch will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Multiple counties in Southwest Michigan were placed under a Tornado Warning and WOOD TV in Grand Rapids reported a tornado may have touched down near Colon.

"This line of thunderstorms means business," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Joe Lundberg, speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950.

"It just went through the Rockford, Illinois area, and they had some wind gusts upwards of 50 miles an hour, and some pea-sized hail. It may not be quite that bad here, but I wouldn't want to count against it at this point in time. It's held together very well..."

Lundberg said these storms will likely come in a couple of waves, beginning mid-afternoon. The worst of it is expected to hit between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

"They'll be weakening, but again, they could produce some hail and damaging wind gusts, and certainly some hard downpours," Lundberg said. "Then even behind them, another shower and thunderstorm (are possible) through early tonight, before things settle down later tonight."

The forecasted high in the Metro Detroit area on Tuesday is 70 degrees.

Lundberg said we're looking at a much nicer day on Wednesday, with sunshine, some clouds, a breeze, and a high of around 80 degrees.

But that will be it for the warmth for awhile, he said, as Metro Detroit will see much cooler temps for the remainder of the week.

Thursday will be cloudy and much cooler, with a little rain and a high of only around 58 degrees. The clouds will break for some sunshine on Friday, with a high of 62 degrees.

For the weekend, Lundberg said the AccuWeather forecast so far is calling for a cloudy and cool Saturday in Metro Detroit, with some rain and a high of 61 degrees. Sunday is looking partly sunny, with a shower possible, and a high of around 64.

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