Metro Detroit weather: Tornado Warnings, storms wake up Southeast Michigan

Name: Lightning flashing on M-14 and Barton
Uploaded: 2026-04-14T20:58:12-04:00
Description: Severe weather has been spreading across Metro Detroit leading to Tornado Warnings and Flood Advisories.

(FOX 2) - Update: All tornado warnings have expired in Southeast Michigan

Severe weather hit Metro Detroit from a system coming from the West and crossing Lake Michigan from Wisconsin.

Big picture view:

After a day of high temperatures and sunny weather, a severe weather system is expected to hit the Southeast Michigan area at around 11 p.m. These storms have already brought about severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings in Illinois and Wisconsin as the system prepares to trek across Lake Michigan.

All modes of severe weather are on the table—wind gusts over 60 mph, the potential for large hail, and torrential downpours.

Flooding is a bit more of a concern today as well, especially with already damp ground in spots. There’s also a low but non-zero chance of an isolated tornado.

The timing is what makes this setup more concerning. Storms arriving late at night, right around bedtime or after, can catch people off guard. Make sure you have a way to receive weather alerts that will wake you up if warnings are issued. That’s key with overnight severe weather.

Lightning flashing on M-14 and Barton

Severe weather has been spreading across Metro Detroit leading to Tornado Warnings and Flood Advisories.

Weather Timeline

8:55 p.m.: The National Weather Service issues a Tornado Watch until 4 a.m. for the entire southern half of Michigan, including all of Metro Detroit.

11:47 p.m.: NWS issued a Tornado Warning for part of Shiawasee County near Laingsburg. This will go on until 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

11:56 p.m.: Tornado Warning issued in Southeastern Saginaw County until 12:45 a.m.

12 a.m.: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued in Genesee County until 1 a.m.

12:09 a.m.: NWS issues a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Lansing (Ingham County) until 1:15 a.m.

12:18 a.m.: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Oakland and Livingston Counties until 1:30 a.m.

12:37 a.m.: NWS issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lapeer County until 1:45 a.m.

12:56 a.m.: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Hillsdale County until 1:45 a.m.

1:07 a.m.: Tornado Warning issued for Branch County until 1:15 a.m.

1:30 a.m.: Tornado Warning issued for Washtenaw County until 2:15 a.m.

1:51 a.m.: Tornado warning issued for northern Wayne County, including Detroit, until 2:30 a.m.

1:54 a.m.: Tornado Warning issued for Monroe County until 2:45 a.m.

Other side of the State

After rolling across Lake Michigan, the large system landed in Muskegon, where sky cameras captured an incredible lighting show dancing across the clouds as day turned to night,

Heavy rain and winds blew across the city as the storm moved inland.

Among the thunderstorms, a few tornado warnings were issued in West and Mid-Michigan.