MICHIGAN — A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect Monday evening for a large portion of Michigan as strong storms continue moving across the state, according to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch 221 is in effect until 8 p.m. EDT for dozens of counties across central, southern and northern Michigan. Areas included in the watch stretch from northern Lower Michigan to the Detroit metro area and parts of southwest Michigan.
Counties included in the watch include Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Jackson, Kent, Kalamazoo, Ingham, Saginaw, Midland, Monroe, Ottawa, Muskegon, Grand Traverse, Alpena and many others across the Lower Peninsula.
Cities affected include Detroit, Lansing, Jackson, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Alpena, Gaylord, Midland, Mount Pleasant and Muskegon.
The National Weather Service said conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall. Localized flooding may also occur in some areas as storms move through the state Monday evening.
Marine areas along portions of Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River are also included in the watch area.
Residents across Michigan are encouraged to closely monitor weather conditions and be prepared to take shelter if severe thunderstorm warnings are issued.
A severe thunderstorm watch means atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of severe storms, while a warning means severe weather is occurring or imminent.
