According to the Storm Prediction Center, West Michigan faces a risk of severe weather Saturday afternoon. 

A mesoscale convective system is projected to cross Lake Michigan late Saturday morning, though its structure remains uncertain. Weather models show two distinct clusters potentially entering the state; however, potential morning destabilization and rapid development could combine these into one longer, organized squall line. If storms do form, they will be supported by deep-layer shear but may be depleted by lower temperatures.

Main concerns with this system will be damaging winds and heavy rainfall (up to one inch). Some hail and a spin-up tornado will be possible but will require a sequence of parameters to be met regarding more rotation and lift.

Storms are expected after noon Saturday and may linger until 8 p.m. Here’s the risk breakdown for parts of West Michigan:

• Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5): Barryton, Big Rapids, Canadian Lakes, Fremont, Grand Rapids, Grant, Greenville, Howard City, Kent City, Lakeview, Mecosta, Morley, Mount Pleasant, Newaygo, Remus, Sheridan, Stanton, Stanwood, Weidman, and White Cloud
  • 15% chance of damaging winds, 5% chance of hail, and 2% chance of tornadoes, per the Storm Prediction Center
• Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5): Baldwin, Cadillac, Clare, Evart, Farwell, Harrison, Hersey, LeRoy, Luther, Marion, McBain, Reed City, and Tustin
  • 5% chance of damaging winds, 5% chance of hail, and 2% chance of tornadoes, per the Storm Prediction Center

Stay updated with weather alerts from Big Rapids Daily News on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Tune in to Big Rapids Media radio stations—Big Country 100.9 FM, Rewind 99.1 FM, Y-102 102.3 FM, or NewsRadio WBRN (1460 AM, 96.5 FM, 107.7 FM)—for hourly WeatherEye forecasts.