(WWJ) - Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to impact most of listening area on Saturday with some bringing the potential of powerful winds and heavy rainfall, meteorologists said.
Many communities in Southeast Michigan and up into the Thumb are under a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service as the threat isolated severe thunderstorms continues to grow into the afternoon and evening hours.
The counties included are Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee and Monroe.
"There is a Marginal Risk for areas south of I-69, with isolated damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall being the primary threats between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m," the NWS said. "Multicell clusters will be moving from southwest to northeast around 25 mph."
Weather experts said the storms that do become severe may have damaging wind gusts ranging from 40 to 60 mph. Locally heavy rainfall and lightning are also expected to accompany the cells.
Several weather statements have already been issued throughout Saturday afternoon, affecting the cities of Flat Rock, Ann Arbor, Saline, North Branch, Sandusky and Grand Blanc among others.
Small, pea-sized hail was predicted with some of the thunderstorms.
The NWS said the clusters of storms so far have been popping up quickly, but dissipating just as fast.
While severe thunderstorm chances do decrease Saturday night, showers and some storms are still possible in the overnight hours and into Sunday.