WEST MICHIGAN - After hitting record high temperatures in the month of February...70s for the first time...it was followed just hours later by at least one confirmed tornado and golf ball size hail. According to the National Weather Service, trained spotters confirmed a tornado touchdown about five miles north-northeast of Marshall in Calhoun County at around 12:35 A.M Wednesday morning.
WATCH: Hail falls in Battle Creek, debris litters the ground in Marshall after a tornado hit the area Tuesday night.
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The Grand Rapids National Weather Service conducted a damage survey analysis on Wednesday to determine where the exact path was, the damage that was done, and the strength of the tornado or EF rating. The National Weather Service determined that the Calhoun County tornado was a high-end EF-1 tornado with max wind gusts at 110 mph. It traveled 5.5 miles, touching down east of I-96 and north of I-94 near 16 1/2 Mile Road in Calhoun County.
According to the National Weather Service, it then traveled east/northeast before lifting in the in the vicinity of 21 1/2 mile Road and L Drive North. Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted along the path. The tornado heavily damaged a few outbuildings and caused roof damage to a number of homes with shingles and siding torn away.
The image below shows our FOX 17 velocity data with the colors in green coming toward the radar site, and the colors in red moving away. When these two colors are next to each other, it gives indication that rotation is occurring within the storm. Meteorologists refer to this area as a velocity couplet. A tornado warning was in effect at the time, and our FOX 17 Meteorologists were tracking rotation several minutes before the official touchdown and confirmation.
The tightness of the velocity couplet and length that it was visible on radar, leads us to believe it may have been on the ground for a much longer time frame, but just wasn't confirmed or spotted until it reached the area north/east of Marshall. Keep in mind, it may have been rain-wrapped...making it more difficult to see, plus it was at night. See additional velocity images below BEFORE reaching Marshall. Note the time stamp on the banner at the top of each image and the bright red/green on each image.
We also had reports of golf ball size hail in/around the Battle Creek area and Brownlee Park. That equates to 1.75" in diameter. Tennis ball size was also reported, about 2.5" in diameter. While the severe portion of this storm exited our area by 1 A.M. Wednesday, part two has been our significant blast of bitterly cold air. A few light lake effect snow showers will persist tonight as overnight lows dive into the teens.
Get the complete forecast at www.fox17online.com/weather.
