(WWJ) - Meteorologists warned residents in Southeast Michigan to be prepared for severe weather as strong storms continued to plow through the Midwest over the weekend.
Storms have ripped through Wisconsin, Minnesota and northern Illinois Friday evening into Saturday, AccuWeather meteorologists said, even spawning off a confirmed tornado in the Chicago suburb of Naperville -- now the same storm system is taking aim at the Mitten State.
According to WWJ AccuWeather Meteorologist Carl Erickson, the greatest risk for severe weather will occur overnight, with an estimated timeframe between 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday.
Some storms will carry the threat of heavy rainfall, hail and damaging winds, Erickson said.
Some good news, officials pointed out, is that storms may lose their intensity without the daytime heat.
On the flip side, meteorologists said the cooler nighttime temperatures may mean the storms could reach peak strength around the time most people go to bed.
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Officials urged Michiganders to keep emergency devices charged and check with local weather authorities to stay current on potentially dangerous conditions.
Forecasters warned storms could produce gusts up to 60 mph or more. Some cells could produce hail up to 1" in diameter and locally heavy rainfall is expected -- meteorologists said an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
"Later in the afternoon and through the evening, storms will become more linear as they quickly plow through the Midwest, moving through much of Iowa and Wisconsin, toward the Great Lakes and eventually into portions of Michigan later at night," AccuWeather authorities said. "During this time, the threat of damaging winds will be maximized."
A severe weather threat does remain for Sunday in Southeast Michigan as just enough energy will remain in the atmosphere to fire off another round of strong storms, officials added.
Forecasters say wind gusts can reach 50-70 mph with Sunday's weather threat. Heavy downpours and hail threats also remain in place for the afternoon hours.
A Small Craft Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service for waters near the shores of Saginaw Bay, southern Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie for Sunday.
Officials said southwest winds will become strong and gusty Sunday and conditions will be hazardous for small craft.
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