Shutterstock
The Storm Prediction Center is giving a 4 on a scale of 5 risk level for severe weather to parts of Michigan today, as the severe thunderstorm risk will span a vast area of the upper Midwest, Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Wednesday.
The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service is giving a strong threat level assessment for parts of Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, issuing a Level 4 on its 5-point scale.
A Level 4 is defined as a “moderate risk,” which is defined as widespread severe storms that can be long-lived and intense, bringing widespread wind damage, significant hail damage, and the possibility of several strong tornadoes.
Forecasters say wind gusts could reach up to 70 miles per hour and a few tornadoes are likely. Other areas of the state are at a Level 3, Level 2, and a Level 1.
The areas at level 4 include locations east of Grand Rapids, including Mount Pleasant, Alma, Lansing, Saginaw, Flint, Ann Arbor, Tawas City, Bay City, and Detroit.
To the west, Grand Rapids, Mount Pleasant, Rose, and Alpena are at Level 3. Farther west, Benton Harbor, Traverse City, and Gaylord are at Level 2.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed portions of Ohio under a Level 3 “enhanced” risk of severe weather on Tuesday.
A Level 3 risk is defined as numerous severe storms, with significant wind damage, 1-2 inch hail, and the possibility of several tornadoes from a few persistent, intense storms.
The affected areas include Toledo, Cleveland, Akron, Mansfield, and Columbus.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of a large area of severe thunderstorms on Wednesday across the Ohio Valley, into the portions of mid-Atlantic and extending into parts of the Northeast.
The area of disturbed weather stretches from Michigan southward into Indiana and Ohio, extending into Kentucky and heading east into portions of West Virginia and Virginia. Severe thunderstorms will also span northward into most of Pennsylvania and New York.
Wednesday’s severe weather threats include strong, damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding, and potentially isolated tornadoes.
Authorities are issuing four crucial warning:
Severe wind: Plan for power outages. Make sure to keep all cellphones fully charged, especially by the afternoon and evening when the severe weather is most likely to occur.
Plan on getting ice for coolers for any crucial items that require refrigeration, such as insulin or other medications, in case of power outage occurs.
Large hail: Park your car in a garage or carport.
Tornadoes: Know your safe place.
Food and water: Make sure you have food and fresh water for people and pets. Ideally, store a three-day supply, with one gallon of water per person per day.
