DETROIT (WWJ) - A line of thunderstorms is expected to blow into the area early Thursday afternoon, bringing the threat of heavy downpours and frequent lightning.
AccuWeather Meteorologists Dean DeVore said the initial edge of the storms will reach the western most suburbs a little after noon, before marching through into Metro Detroit
The prefrontal line is tracking east across the states at around 30 mph.
"They have slowed down a little bit, so here's in looking at this over the next, our last couple of hours," DeVore said. "What we think is going to happen is this initial line of showers and thunderstorms marching towards us leading edge around Owasso and then through Lansing is coming into the western suburbs probably in about an hour or so and then continuing to cross over the area the first part of the afternoon after that first initial push."
DeVore said residents can expect downpours and gusty winds with the possibility of small hail.
The National Weather Service predicts the storms will impact the Howell and Flint areas just before 11:15 a.m. before pushing across the area into Detroit, Monroe and Port Huron around 1:15 p.m.
"We're not seeing any widespread severe weather along this line here as it moves towards us, so that's good news," DeVore said. "We're going to keep an eye on it."
The NWS predicts winds to gust around 30 mph to the southwest with the storms clearing Metro Detroit by 2 p.m.
DeVore a spotty thunderstorm or two may pop up later in the afternoon and evening hours as a cold front sweeps into the area,
"That will be the extent of it," Devore said.
Temperatures are hovering in the mid-70s prior to the storms' arrival. Once it passes, DeVore said it will be feel more comfortable going into the evening with lows dipping down into the 50s.
After Thursday night's cooldown, the rest of the Dream Cruise weekend will be filled with abundant sunshine and pleasant temperatures in the mid-70s on Friday before climbing into the 80s on Saturday.
Sunday will be mostly sunny with hot and humid temperatures near 88.
