DETROIT (WWJ) - An area of thunderstorms and showers lifting into Southeast Michigan could put a damper on holiday festivities on Saturday, experts warned.
What began as a sunny, muggy morning on Saturday ended up shrouded by cloud cover and began looking more ominous after noon, just as the National Weather Service advised that scattered showers and storms are tracking towards Metro Detroit.
Weather experts said the weather is expected to impact residents in the area until about 3 p.m.
"Heavy downpours , lightning, and brief gusty winds possible with strongest activity," meteorologists added.
While severe weather is not anticipated, heavy downpours associated with the storms could lead to localized flooding in flood-prone areas.
And the rain won't stop there.
A hot, humid air mass -- when daytime highs creeping close to 90 -- in place is more than capable of firing off another round of storms across the region later in the afternoon and into the evening hours, WWJ's AccuWeather meteorologist Dean DeVore said.
At 1:15 p.m., the NWS's Doppler radar picked up a strong thunderstorm near Tecumseh, moving northeast at 15 mph in Lenawee County.
Storm hazards include wind gusts in excess of 30 mph and pea sized hail.
"Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects," the NWS advised. "Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible."
The cell is expect to impact surrounding communities such as Manitou Beach-Devils Lake, Rome Center, Macon, Riga, Springville, Cambridge Junction, Ridgeway, Palmyra, Tipton and Holloway.
Boaters and swimmers out on the lakes are highly encouraged to keep an eye on the forecast as the storms eventually move across portions of southern Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie.
"A strong, isolated thunderstorm capable of producing wind gusts in excess of 34 knots cannot be ruled out," the NWS said.
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