The National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids has placed parts of West Central Michigan at elevated risk for isolated thunderstorms and potential damaging winds Monday night.

As of 12:30 p.m., the Storm Prediction Center placed most of Kent and Montcalm counties, as well as southern Isabella County, in a Level 2 out of 5 "Slight Risk" for severe weather. Surrounding counties, including Newaygo, Mecosta, Osceola, Clare, eastern Lake County and northern Isabella County, are under a Level 1 of 5 "Marginal Risk." 

Storms are expected to develop some time after 4 p.m. along a cold front. With elevated surface energy, a line of scattered thunderstorms may produce damaging winds. Storms should be clear of the region by 9 p.m. Monday night. The system's organization is uncertain, creating a "hit-or-miss" scenario. 

The most likely hazard is damaging winds, with a 15% probability according to the Storm Prediction Center, followed by a 5% chance of hail and a less than 2% chance of tornadoes. 

According to Michigan Storm Chasers, a weather radio service outage will affect the Northern Lower Peninsula until Wednesday. 

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