GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A round of strong, damaging winds knocked out power and left behind a mess for thousands in Michigan last weekend. Four days later, another round of damaging winds has done the same.
A particularly potent storm system lifted northeast across the country on Wednesday. High winds were reported from New Mexico up through Michigan.
In addition to the strong winds, severe weather was reported from Kansas into Wisconsin. Dozens of severe reports were sent in, and National Weather Service crews will likely be out surveying potential tornado damage today.
In West Michigan, we felt the strong winds. Power has been knocked out for thousands, and debris littered the roadways for the morning commute. Damage was reported to an elementary school in Fruitport.
The strongest wind gusts are likely over for West Michigan, but the Wind Advisory and High Wind Warning will continue into the afternoon.
Extremely large waves are expected on Lake Michigan. A Storm Warning and Lakeshore Flood Advisory will be in effect through 10 a.m. Thursday with waves building into the 10- to 15-foot range. The large waves will diminish Thursday evening into Friday morning.
In addition to the strong winds, temperatures will be plummeting through the day behind the passage of a cold front. Temperatures will drop to the low 40s by the afternoon. It will feel like the 30s with the winds factored in.
More seasonal air will return for the end of the workweek and the weekend. Expect temperatures to return to the 30s and stay there into the week leading up to Christmas.
