Sonali Tiwary
Detroit got hit hard overnight, and the threat isn’t finished yet.
The National Weather Service office in Detroit/Pontiac issued a severe thunderstorm warning early Thursday morning, September 3, targeting Wayne County. The warning cited wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and quarter-size hail — that’s hail roughly the diameter of a quarter coin.
Those aren’t minor thresholds. A severe thunderstorm warning means the National Weather Service has determined that severe weather is occurring or is imminent, based on radar, reports or other available evidence. At 60 mph, wind can bring down tree limbs, damage roofs, and take out power lines. Quarter-size hail can dent vehicles and break windows.
More than 80,000 DTE Energy customers in Southeast Michigan lost power overnight. The municipality of Madison Heights sustained significant damage from downed trees and utility lines. Restoration work requiring line crews and pole replacements is ongoing.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook for Thursday maintains a Marginal to Slight Risk for additional severe weather. The remaining concern includes wind gusts up to 70 mph and hail up to 1.5 inches — close to golf-ball size. Not every location will see those extremes, but the risk remains active.
On top of the storm threat, heat is also a factor. Heat indices in the 90s°F are expected to affect the region, with the most intense heat expected closer to the Michigan-Ohio border and Metro Detroit.
A watch and a warning are not the same thing. A watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop. A warning means severe weather is already occurring or imminent in your area. Thursday’s warning for Wayne County covered severe weather occurring or imminent — not just a possibility.
Anyone in Southeast Michigan should monitor the NWS Detroit/Pontiac office for updated forecasts, as conditions can change quickly through the rest of the day.
