Our dry August will soon be no more as several inches of rain are expected to fall across the area before the week is done. The only problem is it will come with the chance of damaging wind, minor flooding and possibly large hail.
Two systems will swing through the area to bring us the rain and storms. The first cold front (weaker of the two) is sliding through this evening into Friday morning. Shower and storm coverage will be scattered this evening with a widespread threat overnight.
The overnight round of storms will feature heavy downpours and possible severe weather. This will likely wrap up by the end of the morning. The first cold front will then lift back into Michigan as a warm front during the afternoon on Friday.
With the warm front in our northern counties by the evening, enough heat and humidity will then be in place as a second, stronger cold front surges through. With everything coming together at that point in time, widespread storms are expected with the best chance of severe weather.
Even though the best chance of storms becoming severe will be Friday evening, any storm now through the end of Friday could be strong. Any watch or warning will be brought to you on FOX17 social media and on-air. If a storm does turn severe, it could produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, frequent lightning and flooding rain. With the warm front in the area Friday evening, an isolated tornado will be possible then.
The best case scenario is the storms don't contain enough pop to do any damage but use the available moisture to get rid of our dry conditions and help the grass and plants out. Most will see around 1" to 2" of rain by early Saturday, but some could see up to 3" of rain.
Recapping everything coming our way is remember that storms are likely tonight into Friday morning, then again Friday evening. Best chance of severe weather will be Friday evening, but any storm could turn strong now through the end of Friday. Heavy rain and lightning is likely, with damaging wind and large hail possible. The weekend will feature a return to sunshine and comfortable temperatures in the 70s. Stay with FOX17 news on-air and online as we track these storms.
