Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop Friday afternoon and evening, with the strongest activity likely across northern Lower Michigan. The National Weather Service has indicated a marginal risk of severe storms, with potential for heavy downpours and localized flooding.

Officials are concerned about extreme weather and potential cuts to forecasting and federal emergency funding.

High pressure enforces a drier pattern across Upper Michigan, lasting through Thursday before a Central Plains system brings another soaking round of rain and thunder, plus warmer and humid conditions late Friday through Saturday. In addition to heavy downpours and lightning danger, an isolated thunderstorm can produce damaging hail and wind.

While severe storms are not widely expected, some locations may experience wind gusts up to 50 to 60 mph and small hail.

The Storm Prediction Center put portions of West Michigan into the slight risk category for Friday afternoon into the evening hours. Severe weather is possible.

More than 3,000 electric customers across northern Michigan were without power Sunday, July 6, as rain and thunderstorms moved across the state.

Severe thunderstorms will continue to prowl the central United States through the weekend with some areas at risk for damage stemming from high winds, hail, tornadoes and flooding.

DETROIT – The rest of this Wednesday we’ll be watching the radar closely as a few showers and a couple of thunderstorms are looking to move through Southeast Michigan. Then, we look ahead to what is looking like another hot and muggy weekend around here.