KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Strong to severe thunderstorms rolled through West Michigan Sunday afternoon, prompting several severe thunderstorm warnings along the way. The primary threats with these storms across most of the area were large hail and some stronger winds.
The largest hail reported came from storms that tracked through northern Kalamazoo County, where weather spotters and viewers reported at least golf ball-size hail. That equates to about 1.75 inches in size. That said, we also received reports of up to two-inch size hail in the same area.
Heavy rain and some wind accompanied some of these storms as well, with the highest wind gust being reported around Alamo in Kalamazoo County, estimated at about 60 mph.
More than 1,500 people are without power Sunday in portions of Kalamazoo, Calhoun, and southern Barry County on the Consumer’s Energy grid.
Monday will feature sharply cooler temperatures (only around 70 or so) and a much drier air mass. Colder air aloft and stronger winds will create at least three- to six-foot waves on Lake Michigan, small craft advisories, and a high beach hazard risk up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline for swimmers.
Swimming is NOT advised on Monday! Those waves will likely be higher across the southern portion of Lake Michigan with a longer northerly fetch (4 to 7 feet likely).
Get the complete West Michigan (cooler) forecast this week at www.fox17online.com/weather.
